CBRC Increases Pressure on Lenders as Fears of Housing Bubble Mount

(Beijing) — Banks and trust companies in big cities are facing increased regulatory pressure to tighten lending to the property sector as worries about an asset bubble grow.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) has instructed banks and trust companies in 16 cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen and several provincial capitals, to examine their real-estate-related business between January and September, sources said.