According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new SME lending approved by Macao banks continued to grow in the second half of 2013. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks rebounded. New Lending Approved In the second half of 2013, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP16.3 billion, up by 29.1% from the first half year or 33.8% from the same period of 2012. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 77.7%, up 2.5 percentage points when compared with the last survey period or 12.9 percentage points when compared with the same period of 2012. Credit Utilisation As at end-December 2013, the outstanding value of total SME loans increased 22.4% from end-June or 26.9% from a year earlier to MOP40.4 billion. When compared with end-June, SME loans to "non-monetary financial institutions", "wholesale and retail trade" and "transport, warehouse and communications" increased at respective rates of 67.4%, 44.7% and 23.9%, whereas those to "agriculture and fisheries", "restaurants, hotels and similar activities" and "education" dropped 10.9%, 10.7% and 6.1% respectively. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, rose 8.3 percentage points from six months ago to 65.0%. Delinquent Loans At the end of 2013, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans decreased by 12.6% from six months ago to MOP144.5 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance dropped 52.0%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, dropped 0.14 percentage points from end-June or 0.59 percentage points from a year earlier to 0.36%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
