The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) maintained key lending rates at record lows for a seventh consecutive month in December, in line with market expectations. The move came after the central bank left its seven-day reverse repo rate unchanged at 1.4% this month, now serving as the main policy rate, following the central bank’s signalling less urgency for additional monetary stimulus as the economy is on track to meet this year’s growth target. The one-year Loan Prime Rate (LPR), the benchmark for most corporate and household borrowing, remained at 3.0%, while the five-year LPR, which anchors mortgage rates, held at 3.5%. Both rates were last lowered by 10 basis points in May. The decision came after last week’s data showed that retail sales and industrial output growth in November eased amid lingering property sector crises. Meanwhile, new yuan loans came in below October levels and market expectations, highlighting continued weakness in credit demand.
