Foreign currency deposits in South Korean banks jumped to a record high in April as exporters put their dollars into deposits, the central bank said Monday.

Outstanding foreign currency-denominated deposits held by residents reached $58.42 billion as of end-April, up $7.32 billion from the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea.

The April figure marked the highest level since $52.68 billion in February.

Residents include local citizens, foreigners staying here for more than six months and foreign companies. The data excludes inter-bank foreign currency deposits.

The dollar-denominated deposits increased by $4.78 billion on-month to $42.47 billion and the yuan-denominated deposits rose $2.02 billion to $9.91 billion.

Companies’ holdings of foreign exchange deposits gained $6.67 billion to $52.47 while such deposits held by individuals added $650 million to $5.95 billion, according to the bank. (Yonhap)