"The rate cut will be positive for the economy and the property market in Hong Kong," said HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man in a media briefing on Thursday. "However, the pace of future rate cuts remains quite uncertain."Together with a quarter-point rate cut in September, central banks in Hong Kong and the US have cut the key interest rate by half a percentage point.Although analysts said the lenders would not cut their prime rate below 5 per cent, Ng said HSBC would be "ready to adjust our rates as ...

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong's three note-issuing banks, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China (Hong Kong), are reducing their prime lending rates for the first time since December, which will lower funding costs and provide relief to businesses and mortgage borrowers in the city [1][2]. Group 1: Rate Adjustments - HSBC and Bank of China (Hong Kong) will lower their prime lending rates by 12.5 basis points to 5.125% effective Friday and Monday respectively, while Standard Chartered will cut its rate to 5.375% from Monday [2]. - All three banks will also reduce their savings rates by the same margin to 0.125% [2]. Group 2: Monetary Policy Context - The banks' rate cuts follow the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's (HKMA) decision to reduce its base rate by a quarter point, aligning with the US Federal Reserve's overnight cut [4]. - The HKMA's actions are part of a peg-linked system, but Hong Kong's commercial lenders independently determine their prime lending and deposit rates [4]. Group 3: Impact on Borrowers - HSBC's Hong Kong CEO stated that the adjustments are appropriate given the US rates decision and local market conditions, noting that HSBC has lowered its Hong Kong dollar best lending rate by 75 basis points since September 2024 [5]. - For a HK$5 million, 30-year loan priced at prime minus 1.75%, the 12.5-basis-point cut reduces the effective mortgage rate to 3.375%, lowering the monthly payment by HK$347 to HK$22,105 [5]. - As of the end of July, Hong Kong homebuyers had HK$1.887 trillion in outstanding mortgage loans, with an average mortgage size of HK$4.51 million [6].

Group 1 - JP Morgan has lowered its prime lending rate to 7.25%, typically a response to a Fed rate cut, indicating a downward trend in rates [1] - The Fed funds rate is currently at 4.08%, with projections suggesting it may end the year around 3.6% after two rate cuts, reflecting a gradual shift in monetary policy [1][18] - The Fed's dot plot reveals mixed opinions among members regarding future rate cuts, with one member advocating for five cuts, while others prefer no further cuts this year [1][18] Group 2 - The Fed is facing a dual mandate of maintaining stable prices (targeting 2% inflation) and achieving full employment, which are currently in conflict [2][14] - Job creation has significantly decreased, with new jobs dropping from 150,000 to 25,000 per month, prompting concerns about the labor market [3][22] - The Fed's recent rate cut is seen as a risk management strategy to stimulate employment amidst a deteriorating job market [4][16] Group 3 - The current economic environment shows a lack of widespread dissent within the Fed, with only one member opposing the recent decision, indicating a level of consensus [7][11] - The Fed's approach to managing inflation and employment is complicated by external factors such as tariffs, which could lead to price increases [26][30] - There is a notable disparity in economic recovery, with the top 20% of Americans driving the economy while the bottom 80% face stagnation, affecting overall inflation dynamics [31][32]

Group 1 - Bank stocks experienced an upward trend following the Federal Reserve's first interest-rate cut in nine months, with a 25 basis point reduction that could lead to near-term margin compression but greater long-term profitability [1][9] - The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index, which tracks the performance of the 24 largest banks, closed up nearly 1.3% after the Fed's announcement, indicating positive investor sentiment [2] - Analysts suggest that the impact on banks' bottom lines will be fairly neutral, with the rate cut being described as "modestly positive" [2][9] Group 2 - The Federal Open Market Committee's decision to cut rates was approved by an 11-1 margin, aligning with market expectations, and the lone dissenter preferred a larger cut of 50 basis points [3] - The rate cut follows months of public pressure from President Trump, raising concerns about the Fed's independence in monetary policy [4] - Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the decision was influenced by increasing unemployment risks and a cooling labor market [5][6] Group 3 - Following the Fed's announcement, banks began lowering their prime lending rates, with Fifth Third Bancorp, Regions Financial, and PNC Financial Services Group cutting their rates to 7.25% [11] - Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods anticipate another 25 basis-point reduction next month, but the Fed has not committed to further cuts this year, reflecting varied opinions among board members [12]

Core Viewpoint - Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has reduced its prime lending rate from 7.50 percent to 7.25 percent, effective September 18, 2025 [1] Company Overview - Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest financial institutions in the United States, with total assets amounting to $218.3 billion as of June 30, 2025 [1] - The company is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and offers a wide range of retail financial services [1]

Major U.S. lenders lowered a key interest rate on Wednesday, providing U.S. consumers a reprieve on borrowing costs, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time this year. ...

Core Viewpoint - Fifth Third Bank has announced a decrease in its prime lending rate to 7.25%, effective immediately, marking a change from the previous rate of 7.50% set on December 18, 2024 [1] Company Overview - Fifth Third Bank has a long history dating back to 1858, providing financial services aimed at helping individuals, families, businesses, and communities grow [1]