智通财经APP获悉，美联储凌晨宣布今年首次议息结果，维持联邦基金利率于3.5%至3.75%不变，符合 市场预期。具指标性的汇丰银行宣布维持最优惠利率(P)于5%不变，预料其他银行将陆续跟随。中原按 揭董事总经理王美凤表示，香港最优惠利率P已返回加息前最低水平，一般活期存息亦已返回零水平， 银行基本上不会单边减P的情况下相信减P周期已完成，料今年最优惠利率P维持现有处于最低水平，P 不变但年内港元拆息HIBOR有机会有所回落。 5月份美国即将有新美联储主席上任，值得留意继任者是否推动偏向较宽松政策延续减息，但预期今年 美息仍有下调空间，美息续降有利香港拆息进一步回落，虽然拆息回落步伐料温和，香港以H按为主流 的实际按息仍会处于封顶息水平3.25%一段时间，但年内拆息将有所回落有利银行纾缓资金成本，在今 年楼市向好银行按揭取态积极时期，拆息回落有利推动银行增加按揭优惠。 王美凤又指，息率不变下，目前按息主要维持于3.25%，较2024年9月减息周期前的4.125%已累积回落 0.875%，现水平已低于30年平均按息(约3.78%)，月供减幅达一成，对置业及供楼人士而言，供楼负担 已大幅纾缓。按照现时市场H按计划( ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint indicates that the Hong Kong mortgage insurance market is experiencing fluctuations, with new mortgage insurance approvals increasing month-on-month but the total amount declining, reflecting a mixed sentiment in the property market [1] - In March, new mortgage insurance approvals rose by 2.5% month-on-month to 1,355 cases, marking the highest level in four months, although it remains below the 1,400 cases threshold for two consecutive quarters [1] - The total amount of new mortgage insurance fell by 5.9% month-on-month to HKD 6.6 billion, reaching a six-month low, indicating a cautious market environment [1] Group 2 - The number of new mortgage insurance applications decreased by 2.3% month-on-month to 515 cases, with the loan amount dropping by 4.7% to HKD 2.6 billion, both hitting new lows in four and two months respectively [1] - The first quarter saw a 5.4% increase in new mortgage insurance applications compared to the previous quarter, totaling 1,559 cases, but a year-on-year decline of 13.2% was noted [1] - The first quarter's new mortgage insurance approvals totaled 3,958 cases, a year-on-year decrease of 32.1%, with the total amount at HKD 20.4 billion, down 31.5% year-on-year [1] Group 3 - The recent government policy changes, including the relaxation of mortgage limits for properties under HKD 15 million, have led to a significant decrease in reliance on high loan-to-value mortgage insurance [2] - In February, the proportion of new mortgage insurance applications for residential mortgages fell to 14.4%, the lowest level since November 2019, indicating a successful impact of the relaxed mortgage policies [2] - The reduction in high loan-to-value mortgage insurance demand is seen as a positive development for the stability of the Hong Kong property market [2]