FINANCE

Chinese Banks Seen Lending Less as Demand Weakens

Published: Apr. 10, 2026 11:18 a.m. GMT+8

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Chinese banks likely lent less in March than a year earlier, as a weak property market weighed on credit demand, a Caixin survey showed.

The average forecast from 11 institutions puts new yuan loans at about 3.21 trillion yuan ($470 billion), down from 3.64 trillion yuan in March 2025. All respondents expected a year-on-year decline.

Weak housing demand continues to weigh on household borrowing, with the property sector still bottoming out and long-term household loans slow to recover.

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Caixin survey forecasts March new yuan loans at 3.21T yuan ($470B), down from 3.64T in March 2025.
Total social financing (TSF) expected at 5.55T yuan, below 5.89T a year earlier.
Weak property market curbs demand; steady policy with no benchmark rate changes anticipated.

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Who’s Who

GF Securities Co. Ltd.: GF Securities Co. Ltd. said banks may step up lending at quarter-end, while activity in manufacturing and services has improved.

AI generated, for reference only