Export-Import Bank of Korea Integrates AI into Loan Audits to Accelerate “Productive Finance”

The Export-Import Bank of Korea is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into its loan auditing process to further enhance its credit risk management system. This move is aimed at proactively strengthening its risk management capabilities as the bank continues to expand “productive finance” in areas such as advanced industries.

On April 14, the Export-Import Bank of Korea announced that it will begin implementing an AI-based early warning model for loan audits. The bank plans to commence full-scale implementation through a related consulting service bid announcement on April 16. Loan auditing refers to the independent review of all decision-making processes in lending activities—including credit evaluation, loan approval, and post-management—to ensure appropriateness. The early warning model will serve as a key tool in this process by detecting abnormal signs in advance and enabling proactive risk management.

This consulting project will comprehensively assess the areas in which the current early warning model needs improvement, directions for advancement utilizing AI technology, and the anticipated benefits of its introduction. It will also evaluate and propose improvements for the overall loan audit system, organization, processes, and performance. In addition, the bank will simultaneously consider ways to enhance customer services using the early warning model. A representative from the Export-Import Bank of Korea stated, “A sophisticated loan audit system is essential for precisely managing potential uncertainties and concentrating financial resources in sectors with a high contribution to the real economy, such as advanced industries and innovative growth companies. The introduction of an AI-based system will lay the foundation for stable, productive finance.” The representative added, “As of the end of 2025, 88.6% of the bank’s loans are based on credit without collateral, making systematic credit risk management the core of asset quality control.”

Over the past five years, the Export-Import Bank of Korea has continued to improve its asset quality indicators through data-driven risk management, even as its outstanding loan balance has steadily increased. The outstanding loan balance rose from 107.7 trillion won in 2021 to 140.7 trillion won in 2025, while the ratio of substandard or below loans declined from 1.72% to 0.90% during the same period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.