The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) noticed that The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (May 19) issued guidelines to banks regarding their property mortgage lending business, including lowering the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) cap by 10 percentage points for property mortgage loans extended to borrowers with one or more pre-existing mortgages.

     Following the reduction of the LTV ratio of the relevant mortgage loans by 10 percentage points by the HKMA, it is expected that the LTV ratio for some new mortgage loans will be reduced to 50 per cent.  The HKMC will continue to provide mortgage insurance for the relevant eligible mortgage loans.  The coverage will start from the LTV ratio of 50 per cent and will be capped at 80 per cent.  However, buyers of property priced at HK$4 million or below who fulfill the existing relevant requirements can still apply for 90 per cent Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP).

     The HKMC will provide the MIP premium rate table (refer to the attachment) and other implementation details for mortgage loans with LTV ratio from 50 per cent to MIP participating banks in due course.

Ends/Friday, May 19, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:28

NNNN