Seoul: Individuals' overdraft credit loans at major commercial banks have reached their highest level in over three years as investors seek funds for stock investments amid a booming market, data showed Sunday. The balance of personal overdraft loans, known as "minus accounts," at South Korea's five major banks -- KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup -- stood at 40.5 trillion won (US$27.64 billion) as of Thursday. According to Yonhap News Agency, this marks the largest balance since January 2023, when the total hit 40.54 trillion won. Over the three business days following the end of April, the figure increased by 715.2 billion won. In contrast, demand deposits, considered as standby funds, have continued to decline, suggesting a possible shift of funds from bank accounts into stock investments. As of Thursday, combined demand deposit balances at the five lenders totaled 696.06 trillion won, a decrease of 501.3 billion won from the end of last month. In April alone, the balance fell by 3.36 tri llion won. "As the stock market rallies, a growing number of investors appear to be using short-term liquidity for stock investments," a bank official said. "Due to tighter government regulations on household loans, there also appears to be demand for credit loans to supplement housing-related funding needs." South Korea's stock market, as measured by the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), has been among the world's best-performing markets this year, with the index surging more than 70 percent, largely driven by gains in semiconductor stocks. On Friday, the index reached a new record high of 7,498. Additionally, the number of large orders worth over 100 million won placed by retail investors on the KOSPI totaled 1,193,158 in April, marking the highest monthly figure ever, according to data from the Korea Exchange.