China tells trusts to check property credit: Report

Updated: 2010-11-19 10:04

(Agencies)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

BEIJING - China's banking regulator has told trust companies to assess the risks posed by their property-related loans, in a fresh move to rein in the real estate market, two sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Earlier this year, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) ran stress tests in the country's trust firms to see if they could withstand a downturn in the property sector.

Trust investment programs have been an important channel for Chinese banks to pump credit into property projects as Beijing tightens controls on bank lending.

The sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter, said the CBRC had issued a notice to all trust firms warning them of the risks posed by possible "property market adjustments".

China tells trusts to check property credit: ReportShale gas lures oil majors
Related readings:
China tells trusts to check property credit: Report China's major banks deny suspension of real estate loans
China tells trusts to check property credit: Report Real estate sector shows signs of cooling
China tells trusts to check property credit: Report Chinese real estate giants' debt ratio soars
Local offices of the CBRC would ensure that funds raised through trust investment plans were used properly, they said.

Trust firms were ordered to correct irregular practices in lending to property projects, they added.

Trust products have become a popular way for banks facing credit restrictions to take loans off their balance sheets.

By repackaging the loans into equity- or fixed-income-linked products, trusts have been able to offer bank clients, typically rich individuals, much more attractive yields than are available on bank deposits.

Seeing the risks in expanding credit to property and infrastructure projects, the CBRC in July ordered trust companies to halt the launch of wealth-management products via banks.

Paper's Digest

China bags Asiad team tennis title after 24 yrs

Wimbledon semifinalist Li Na led host China to capture the team tennis title on Tuesday at the Asian Games, accomplishing her Asiad tour with three consecutive victories.

China rate rises no panacea to curb inflation: PBOC adviser

European Edition

Specials

Russian possessed with TCM

Born into a family of doctors, Maxime became interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the age of 12, after hearing about TCM theories such as health preservation and recuperation.

Acupuncture takes stab at UNESCO list

Acupuncture and Peking Opera have been selected as candidates for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status.

The wedding coach comes back to life

A groom carries his bride from a wedding coach in Xuchang, Henan province, Nov 11, 2010. Produced a local factory, various original hand-made wedding carriages were displayed on the streets, attracting young people chasing fashion and an environment-friendly lifestyle.

Mounting inflation pressure tests policy makers
Chinese vice president to visit four nations
Chinese, Russian presidents meet in Seoul on co-op