22 Jul 2013
China's banks may need up to $100 billion in new funding - WSJ
FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - The shift in lending pratices underway in China may be a nasty slap in the face for those involved in the shadow banking system, especially the smaller lenders.
By removing the floor on loan rates, the Chinese Central Bank - PBoC - is trying to promote fairer competition among banks, with the ultimate goal of easier access to loans by small businesses an individual borrowers. Interest rates charged by banks to their clients will have to follow now tighter regulation, not permitting banks to establish inflated levels to boost profitability.
However, as the Wall Street Journal points, "China's banks will need up to $100 billion in new funding over the next two years following Beijing's move to shake up lending, according to an analysis by a research firm, and that could spur banks to tap investors for capital even amid growing worries over the strength of their balance sheets."
The Wall Street Journal adds that while cheaper loans for China's borrowers are not expected immediately, due to interest rates being close to the floor level in many cases, in the long run, "many inside and outside the banking industry say, increased competition will hurt lending profitability, increase banks' need for capital and prod them to develop businesses that are less susceptible to swings in interest rates" the Wall Street Journal wrote.
"This could cause a severe capital shortfall for the banks in the longer term,” said Tom Liu, chief executive of ChinaScope, cited in the article.
By removing the floor on loan rates, the Chinese Central Bank - PBoC - is trying to promote fairer competition among banks, with the ultimate goal of easier access to loans by small businesses an individual borrowers. Interest rates charged by banks to their clients will have to follow now tighter regulation, not permitting banks to establish inflated levels to boost profitability.
However, as the Wall Street Journal points, "China's banks will need up to $100 billion in new funding over the next two years following Beijing's move to shake up lending, according to an analysis by a research firm, and that could spur banks to tap investors for capital even amid growing worries over the strength of their balance sheets."
The Wall Street Journal adds that while cheaper loans for China's borrowers are not expected immediately, due to interest rates being close to the floor level in many cases, in the long run, "many inside and outside the banking industry say, increased competition will hurt lending profitability, increase banks' need for capital and prod them to develop businesses that are less susceptible to swings in interest rates" the Wall Street Journal wrote.
"This could cause a severe capital shortfall for the banks in the longer term,” said Tom Liu, chief executive of ChinaScope, cited in the article.