The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has released its mortgage loan survey results for June 2024, revealing a significant decline in mortgage loan applications and approvals. According to the report, the number of mortgage loan applications fell by 17.2% month-on-month to 6,690.
Mortgage loan approvals decline
Mortgage loans approved in June totalled HK$24.5 billion, down 22.5 per cent from May. Of these, primary market loans fell 25.6 per cent to HK$8.6 billion, while secondary market loans fell 21.3 per cent to HK$13.8 billion. Refinance loans also fell 16.6 per cent to HK$2.1 billion.
Mortgage loan withdrawals increase
Despite a decline in applications and approvals, the amount of home mortgage loans withdrawn in June surged 46.9% month-on-month to HK$24.3 billion.
Changes in loan prices
The survey also highlighted changes in new home loan pricing. The proportion of new loans priced based on the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR) fell from 92% in May to 90.4% in June. Conversely, the proportion of new loans priced based on the highest lending rate increased from 3.5% to 4.3% over the same period.
Default Mortgage Loans and Delinquency Rates
As of the end of June, the outstanding balance of housing loans increased slightly by 0.6% month-on-month to a total of HK$186.68 billion. The housing loan delinquency rate rose slightly to 0.1%, while the restructuring loan ratio remained virtually unchanged at 0%.
For further details, please refer to the official report of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
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