Foreign currency deposits at banks in Korea grew for the second straight month in April, climbing to a five-month high on an increase in U.S. dollar holdings, central bank data showed Monday.

Outstanding foreign currency deposits held by local residents came to $62.04 billion as of April 29, according to the Bank of Korea.

The April reading marks a $1.47 billion rise from the previous month and the highest level since $62.31 billion tallied in November. Local residents include firms and foreign nationals who have stayed in the country for more than six months. The figure excludes interbank foreign currency deposits.

The on-month increase was largely attributed to a rise in dollar deposits, which jumped $3.41 billion from the previous month to $51.68 billion at the end of April.

"The rise in overall foreign currency deposits came as U.S. dollar deposits increased by a large margin amid a rise in U.S. dollar holdings by public energy firms and large conglomerates," the central bank said.

Chinese yuan-denominated deposits were nearly halved, slipping $2.25 billion from the previous month to $2.46 billion as of end-April.

In April, foreign currency deposits held by companies came to $53.91 billion, up $890 million from the previous month. Foreign deposit savings held by individuals gained $490 million to $8.13 billion. (Yonhap)