The Housing Finance System

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A. Primary Housing Finance Market

A.1 Industry Structure and Performance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Types of originating lenders/market share:A.1.2
Identify the 3 largest loan originating lendersChina Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of ChinaChina Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of ChinaChina Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China
Various Commercial Banks
A.1.3
Are there (quasi) public mortgage lenders:YesYesYes
Brookings Institute
A.1.4
Universal/ commercial banksYesYesYes
Brookings Institute
A.1.4.1
Others (e.g. insurance co, pension funds, labor tax funds)YesYesYes
Milken Institute
A.1.4.5
Level of Non-Performing Mortgage Loans (90 days or more past due):A.1.6
as a % of outstanding loan amount .3%.35%
PBOC
A.1.6.2
Average 1997-2007 A.1.7
A.2 Size of Mortgage Finance Sector
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year in millions of USD: 3,357,162.6 USD (millions)2,575,613.69 USD (millions)
PBC
A.2.1
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year as % of GDP (current) 27.94%22.95%
PBOC
A.2.1.1
and as % of all credits outstanding 17.4%12.63%
PBOC
A.2.1.2
Total amount of home mortgages made in calendar year in millions of USD  857,855.22 USD (millions)
PBOC
A.2.3
and as % of GDP (current)   7.64%
PBOC
A.2.3.1
A.3 Housing Finance Products
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Mortgage products as % of all mortgages (approx.) in local currency:A.3.1
Most prevalent type of foreign currency mortgage used:A.3.3
Most frequent interest rates on fully amortizing:A.3.4
Typical lender fees associated with mortgage origination: A.3.6
Typical third party fees associated with mortgage origination:A.3.7
Loan-to-Value (LTV) on first mortgage: A.3.8
Maximum LTV  80A.3.8.1
Typical LTV at origination808080
Various Commercial Banks
A.3.8.2
Maximum term over which pmt is calculated? 30 years30 years30 years
Various Commercial Banks
A.3.9
Mortgage pmt-to-income ratio A.3.10
Maximum pmt-to-income ratio (Individual income)50%  
IMF, contentID=259722, subContentID=710327, channelID=38488
A.3.10.2
Typical pmt-to-income ratio (HH income)  50%A.3.10.3
A.4 Lending and Servicing Process
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Does the mortgage industry use standard principles/guidelines for underwriting?YesYesYes
Deng (2013)
A.4.1
Which institutions define underwriting rules? A.4.2
Central Bank/Ministry of FinanceYesYesYes
Deng (2013)
A.4.2.1
OtherYesYesYes
Deng (2013)
A.4.2.4
A.5 Credit Risk Assessment
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Do credit bureaus exist? YesYesYes
The Credit Reference Center of Bank of China
A.5.2
Is mortgage default insurance available?YesYesYes
China Construction Bank
A.5.3
When did it begin operating?1997  
IMF, contentID=259722, subContentID=710327, channelID=38488
A.5.3.1
Is there public sponsored MI / guarantee?YesYes 
China Construction Bank
A.5.5
B. Funding Sources for Mortgages and the Secondary Mortgage Market
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
What are the main funding sources for mortgages?B.1
Retail funding (deposits/other)primaryprimaryprimary
Various Commercial Banks
B.1.1
Funding through securitization of mortgagestertiarytertiarytertiary
Research
B.1.4
Other secondarysecondarysecondary
Milken Institute
B.1.5
C. Housing Microfinance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Types of lenders operating in the housing micro-finance (HMF) sector:C.2
Level of NPLs (>90 days past due) in HMFC.4
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Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: China allows for a monthly deduction of taxable income based on payments made toward a housing fund.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can apply for loans directly from Housing Provident Funds (consists of employee savings along with employer matched contributions dedicated to housing), which can offer mortgages at lower rates and better terms than compared to commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: Employees can borrow directly from their Housing Provident Fund often on more favorable terms than mortgage loans from commercial banks.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: HPF offers lower interest rate mortgage loans to those that contribute to the fund. The government also alters the mortgage interest rate through the PBOC based on the current economic climate, which can act as an interest rate subsidy to households.
Notes: In 2018, the government created an online platform that streamlined transaction, tax, and registration department processes to reduce time needed to transfer title
Notes: January 2010 - December 2012 LTV was set at 70% for homes under 90 sq. meters.
Notes: January 2010 - December 2012 LTV was set at 70% for homes under 90 sq. meters.
Notes: LTV limits are altered by the government of China much more frequently than is typical in other countries. Figures represented here are representative of a general trend of LTV limits and may not capture quarterly or annual changes in LTV limits by the PBC.
Notes: LTV limits are altered by the government of China much more frequently than is typical in other countries. Figures represented here are representative of a general trend of LTV limits and may not capture quarterly or annual changes in LTV limits by the PBC.
Notes: LTV limits are altered by the government of China much more frequently than is typical in other countries. Figures represented here are representative of a general trend of LTV limits and may not capture quarterly or annual changes in LTV limits by the PBC.
Notes: maximum
Notes: Middle Income Households (Third Quintile)
Notes: Middle Income Households (Third Quintile)
Notes: Middle Income Households (Third Quintile)
Notes: Middle Income Households (Third Quintile)
Notes: Middle Income Households (Third Quintile)
Notes: Mortgage laws were "tentative, isolated provisions existing in various parts of different statutes" before the introduction of the New Property Law in 2007--China's first truly consolidated law with a portion dedicated to mortgages.
Notes: Mortgage laws were "tentative, isolated provisions existing in various parts of different statutes" before the introduction of the New Property Law in 2007--China's first truly consolidated law with a portion dedicated to mortgages.
Notes: Mortgage laws were "tentative, isolated provisions existing in various parts of different statutes" before the introduction of the New Property Law in 2007--China's first truly consolidated law with a portion dedicated to mortgages.
Notes: Mortgage laws were "tentative, isolated provisions existing in various parts of different statutes" before the introduction of the New Property Law in 2007--China's first truly consolidated law with a portion dedicated to mortgages.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The "Big Four" banks in China are all state-owned, and they are the largest mortgage lenders in the nation.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) works along with the PBOC to supervise and set regulations on mortgage lending.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The government in the past has altered property tax rates and changed mortgage lending rates in order to stimulate the housing finance market. Employers also offer a variety of interest-free loans and other subsidies in order to allow their employees to purchase homes.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The People's Bank of China alters the upper and lower interest rate limits of what lenders can offer mortgages at based upon the economic climate at the time.
Notes: The top four mortgage lenders, all commercial banks, grant over half of mortgages.
Notes: The top four mortgage lenders, all commercial banks, grant over half of mortgages.
Notes: The top four mortgage lenders, all commercial banks, grant over half of mortgages.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: These figures do not include outstanding mortgage loan balances for HPF loans.
Notes: While very small compared to other funding sources, commercial banks have continued to issue increasing levels of RMBS in the last few years.
Notes: While very small compared to other funding sources, commercial banks have continued to issue increasing levels of RMBS in the last few years.
Notes: While very small compared to other funding sources, commercial banks have continued to issue increasing levels of RMBS in the last few years.
Notes: While very small compared to other funding sources, commercial banks have continued to issue increasing levels of RMBS in the last few years. As of 2015, RMB26 billion outstanding.