## News Summary for Today (January 16, 2025) * **Decline in Bank Household Loans:** Bank household loans have decreased for the first time in nine months as housing transactions in the Seoul metropolitan area and surrounding regions decline and banks tighten lending criteria. * **Simplification of Year-End Tax Settlement:** The redesigned year-end tax settlement simplification service, aimed at preventing excessive dependent deductions, launches today. * **Expected Decline in Budget Mobile Phone Plans:** With the government's policy to enhance budget mobile phone competitiveness, wholesale data rates are being reduced, and it is anticipated that 5G budget mobile phone plans with rates in the 10,000 won range for 20GB monthly usage will emerge within the first half of this year. * **Decrease in Number of Employed:** Job growth last year plummeted significantly, and particularly in December, the number of employed persons decreased for the first time in three years and ten months due to an employment slump. * **U.S. Federal Reserve Expected to Maintain Base Rate:** There are indications that the U.S. Federal Reserve may maintain its base interest rate through the end of this year.
