Business

China’s top banks post shrinking margins in Q1

Published

1 year ago

April 28, 2023

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Five of China’s largest lenders posted shrinking margins in the first quarter on Friday, as loan re-pricing bites.

Borrowers are struggling to repay loans after three years of China’s zero-COVID policy hit the economy and Beijing has put pressure on lenders to reduce individual and company debt burdens by cutting interest rates.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’s largest commercial lender by assets, posted a net interest margin (NIM) – a key indicator of bank profitability – of 1.77 per cent at the end of March, down from 1.92 per cent from the end of the prior quarter.

Following suit were Agricultural Bank of China Ltd (AgBank), Bank of China (BoC), China’s Bank of Communications Co Ltd (BoCom), and China Construction Bank Corp (CCB), all posting dips in their NIM.

And the trend looks set to continue this year.

“Chinese banks are likely to see further pressure on NIM, driven by mortgage repricing to reduced rates and ongoing deposit competition, as well as continued policy directives on reducing borrowers’ costs especially for micro-and small enterprises,” said Elaine Xu, Director of APAC Financial Institution, Fitch Ratings.

“Demand for residential mortgage and property-development loans still stay weak and should weigh on overall lending growth and NIM,” Xu added.

Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis Corporate and Investment Bank said the banking sector may face NIM pressure as China gears itself towards common prosperity, given that the sector is one of the most profitable in the country.

All lenders posted flat to around 5 per cent net profit growth with BoCom logging the highest first-quarter net profit at over 5 per cent. AgBank came in second with 1.75 per cent as the others posted flat net profit growth over the same period.

Non-performing loan (NPL) ratios held steady, with most lenders flat at the end of March from the end of the prior quarter, though BoC’s ticked down slightly from 1.32 per cent at the end of March to 1.18 per cent at the end of December last year.

While bad loans appear to be stable, analysts said NPLs may peak later.

“We expect property NPLs to peak in 2024 as the recovery process takes time, especially in lower-tier Chinese cities,” said Ming Tan, Director at S&P Global Ratings.

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Business

Chinese firm aims to expand investments in Pakistan, shows interest in mining sector

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

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Chinese firm aims to expand investments in Pakistan, shows interest in mining sector

A notable Chinese company has expressed keen interest in expanding its investment in Pakistan, in yet another sign of investor confidence boost in the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A delegation from Chinese firm MCC Tongsin Resources led by its Chairman Wang Jaichen called on PM Shehbaz here on Friday.

The premier invited the Chinese company to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector and manufacturing of export goods.

Shehbaz assured the delegation that his government would extend all-out facilitation to the company from minerals exploration and processing to the export of goods.

The PM instructed the relevant federal ministers and officers to continue consultation with the Chinese firm, taking the Balochistan chief minister, provincial departments and stakeholders on board.

The delegates reposed trust in PM Shehbaz’s leadership, and expressed keen interest in enhancing their investment in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sectors.

The delegation briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz about the construction of a mineral park in Pakistan and their future investment plans.

The premier welcomed the Chinese firm and highlighted the priority steps by his government to promote foreign investment in Pakistan.

He said that being a time-tested friend, China supported Pakistan in every difficult hour for which the Pakistani nation was grateful to the leadership and people of China.

Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr Musaddik Malik, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

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Business

Govt jacks up power price by Rs1.47 per unit

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

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Govt jacks up power price by Rs1.47 per unit

The government on Friday increased the electricity tariff by Rs1.47 per unit.

According to Nepra sources, the collection from consumers will take place in August, September, and October.

The electricity companies had requested the funds as part of the third quarter adjustment for 2023-2024, seeking Rs 31.34 billion under capacity charges.

Sources said that Rs5.57 billion were requested for operation and maintenance costs, and Rs12.38 billion were requested for the transmission and distribution impact under monthly fuel cost adjustment.

Previously, Nepra had completed the hearing on the electricity companies’ request under the quarterly adjustment.

Nepra approved the Power Division’s request, allowing an increase of Rs 1.45 per unit in electricity prices.

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Business

Hong Kong allows China’s digital yuan to be used in local shops

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

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Hong Kong allows China's digital yuan to be used in local shops

Hong Kong will allow mainland China’s pilot digital currency to be used in shops in the city, the head of its de facto central bank said on Friday, marking a step forward for Beijing’s efforts to internationalise the yuan amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The programme, backed by Beijing, will allow mainland Chinese and Hong Kong residents to open digital yuan wallets via a mobile app developed by China’s central bank and will permit them to make payments in retail shops and some online stores in Hong Kong and in mainland China.

Transactions using e-CNY, predominantly for domestic retail payments in China, hit 1.8 trillion yuan ($249.27 billion) as of end of June 2023, with 120 million digital wallets opened, according to the latest disclosure from China’s central bank.

Using the wallet, users can make payments at over 10 million merchants in 17 provinces and cities in the mainland.

Each wallet used in the city will be subject to a balance limit of 10,000 yuan, with single transactions and daily payments capped at 2,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan, respectively, officials from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said.

Peer-to-peer transfers will not be allowed at the moment, according to the HKMA.

“By expanding the e-CNY pilot in Hong Kong .. users may now top up their wallets anytime, anywhere without having to open a mainland bank account, thereby facilitating merchant payments in the mainland by Hong Kong residents,” HKMA Chief Eddie Yue said.

Currently, users of other digital yuan wallets such as those operated by Ant Group and Tencent can make payments in the city.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China Ltd, China Construction Bank Corp and Bank of Communications Co have been selected as e-CNY wallet operators.

The yuan’s use in global finance remains low, though it has shown steady increases.

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