S.Korean banks' 2007 net profit seen up 16 pct-FSS

SEOUL, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The combined net profit at South Korean banks this year is estimated at 15.8 trillion won ($16.82 billion), up 16 percent from 2006, a senior official at the regulator Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said on Wednesday.

Deputy governor Kim Dae-pyung gave the estimate during the financial watchdog's regular briefing. The estimate compares with 13.6 trillion won domestic banks earned last year, according to the FSS. ($1=939.2 Won) (Reporting by Lee Chang-ho, writing by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Sei Chong)