China's central bank instructs commercial banks to expand April loan issuance

10 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 28

The People's Bank of China has directed banks to ensure outstanding loan balances show positive month-on-month growth in April amid concerns over credit slowdown and external economic risks.
This rare guidance comes as analysts expect April credit data to soften, with the central bank aiming to stabilise growth and prevent a marked pullback in credit during a typically weak lending season.
China faces sluggish consumption, a property sector debt crisis, and potential fallout from the Middle East conflict, while policymakers maintain accommodative policy and plan heavy bond issuance to support economic growth in 2026.

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