The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published monetary statistics showing that total deposits with authorized institutions rose 0.4% and total loans and advances increased 0.7% in September 2026. Foreign currency deposits grew 1.6%, mainly reflecting corporate fund flows, while Hong Kong dollar deposits fell 1.1%. Over the first nine months of 2026, total deposits and total loans each increased 7.7%, while Hong Kong dollar deposits rose 7.3%. Loans for use in Hong Kong, including trade finance, increased 0.7% in September, while loans for use outside Hong Kong rose 0.6%. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio increased to 70.3% from 69.3% in August as Hong Kong dollar lending rose and deposits declined. Quarterly growth in loans for use in Hong Kong slowed to 0.8% in the third quarter from 3.0% in the preceding quarter. Trade finance increased, but lending for building, construction, property development and investment declined. Renminbi deposits rose 2.6% in September to CNY 1,129.9 billion. Renminbi remittances for cross-border trade settlement reached CNY 1,289.6 billion, up from CNY 1,103.8 billion in August. Total M2 and M3 each increased 0.4% during September, with annual growth of 10.1% and 10.0%, respectively. The authority cautioned against overinterpreting monthly fluctuations, which can reflect temporary funding demand and business and investment activities.
HKMA reports deposits up 0.4% and loans up 0.7% in September 2026
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported September 2026 increases of 0.4% in total deposits and 0.7% in loans and advances, bringing growth in both to 7.7% over the first nine months. Hong Kong dollar deposits declined 1.1% while foreign currency deposits rose 1.6%, and the Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio climbed to 70.3%. Growth in lending for use in Hong Kong slowed to 0.8% in the third quarter from 3.0% in the previous quarter, with trade finance rising but property and construction lending declining.