The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has published the results of its April 2026 residential mortgage survey, showing weaker new mortgage activity month on month. Mortgage applications fell 7.5% to 9,541, approved loans declined 9% to HK$36.5 billion, and loans drawn down decreased 16.1% to HK$22.6 billion. By contrast, the outstanding value of mortgage loans rose 0.2% to HK$1,939.6 billion at end-April, while asset quality remained stable with the delinquency ratio at 0.12% and the rescheduled loan ratio unchanged at nearly 0%. Within approved loans, lending for primary market transactions dropped 20.3% to HK$10.7 billion and lending for secondary market transactions fell 6.7% to HK$21.8 billion, while refinancing loans increased 21% to HK$4 billion. The share of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR fell to 77.8% from 83.7% in March, and the share priced with reference to best lending rates edged down to 1.3% from 1.5%.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority2026-05-29
Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports April residential mortgage approvals down 9 percent to HK$36.5 billion
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported weaker new residential mortgage activity in April 2026, with applications, approved loans and loans drawn down falling 7.5%, 9% and 16.1% respectively. Outstanding mortgage loans edged up 0.2% to HKD 1,939.6 billion and asset quality remained stable, with the delinquency ratio at 0.12% and the rescheduled loan ratio near 0%. Within approved loans, primary and secondary market lending declined while refinancing rose, and the share of new loans priced with reference to HIBOR fell to 77.8%.