Meridian: Mortgage loans for new and pre-sale properties in Hong Kong increased by over 55% and 25% respectively in January.

According to the latest data from the research department of mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services and the Land Registry, in January 2026, the number of new building mortgages in Hong Kong was 8,022, an increase of 2,940 (57.9%) from December 2025's 5,082. This marks a 2-month consecutive increase and the highest in over two and a half years (31 months). The number of new property mortgages in the same month was 381, an increase of 78 (25.7%) from December 2025's 303, also marking a 2-month consecutive increase and a 3-month high. Compared to the same period last year, the number of new building mortgages in January 2026 increased by 3,821 (91%) from the same period last year to reach a new high for the first month in nearly 4 years. The number of new property mortgages in January 2026 decreased by 15 (3.8%) from the same period last year. mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services Vice President Cao Deming stated that the significant increase in new building mortgages in Hong Kong in January was partly due to the continued influx of buyers of new government subsidized housing estates such as On Lee Yuen and On Wah Yuen. With interest rates remaining at a reasonable level and property prices stabilizing, the number of new non-performing assets has decreased by over 30% on a quarterly basis, reaching a new low in nearly nine quarters. Several positive factors are helping to boost confidence among homebuyers and investors entering the market. It is expected that trading volume will steadily increase this year, and the numbers for new building mortgages and property mortgages will continue to grow. In terms of market share for new building mortgages, BOC HONG KONG (02388) maintained its position as the leader for the sixteenth consecutive month with a market share of 30.4%. HSBC ranked second with a market share of 22.2%, HANG SENG BANK rose to third with a market share of 13.7%, Standard Chartered Bank dropped to fourth with a market share of 8%, and BANK OF E ASIA (00023) ranked fifth with a market share of 4.8%. For property mortgages, HSBC rose to the top spot with a market share of 26.8%, followed by BOC HONG KONG in second with a market share of 23.9%, and HANG SENG BANK and BANKCOMM sharing the third spot with a market share of 11.3%. Standard Chartered Bank had a market share of 10.5% and BANK OF E ASIA had a market share of 3.1%, ranking fourth and fifth respectively. Overall, the market share for new building mortgages among the top four banks in January 2026 increased by 6.5% to 74.3%. Cao Deming stated that as property prices stabilize and the confidence of Hong Kong citizens in buying property increases, major banks will be more proactive in their mortgage business and will continue to introduce diversified mortgage plans and related promotions to attract high-quality customers and compete for mortgage business in the first half of the year. The gap in market share among banks for mortgage business is expected to be adjusted accordingly.