private lending market in China
Nov 01, 2011

private lending market in China

As you may know, China is throwing itself into a nationwide ecstasy in private lending market (loans between borrowers and non-bank sources) with many grassroots people pouring their bank savings into the market.

As reported by media, the interest rate offered by the end borrower may be tens of times higher than the official lending rate. This ecstasy has culminated in several high-profile social turmoil where end borrowers evaporated from people sights, leaving many private lenders on the brink of bankruptcy.

That is a gloomy picture. However, given the tight monetary policies and tightening measures taken by central government, enterprises esp mid- and small-companies are almost shut out of bank doors. To survive the difficulty, the only option left for them is look for fund from private lending market. Thus, there is real market there.

Under Chinese laws, private lending is allowed and the interest rate can be as high as four times the official lending interest rate designated by central banks. The current official annual interest rate for a one-year loan is 6.06% and accordingly in private market, the interest rate can be up to 24.24%, attractive enough to lure not-very-greedy people sitting on big pile of cash. If the interest rate is higher than four times official rate, the excess part will be not supported by court in case of dispute.

It shall be noted that loanning between enterprises/companies are illegal and will be generally nullified by courts though it is almost commonplace phenomena in reality. So it is very risky for companies to lend to other companies. To circumvent this rule, companies wishing to make loans may lend the money to an individual who will then lend the same money to the borrowing company. However it is worth note that in 2008, China Banking Regulatory Commission and China’s central bank, PBOC jointly issued rules guiding and governing the incorporation and operation of small-amount loanning companies which have sprung up ever since. It is believed that such small-amount loanning companies have joined the private lending market, adding salt to the local financial problem.

In private lending, if there is sufficient mortgage or guaranty/surety, risks can be well mitigated and managed. Under Chinese laws, there are several kinds of securities available for lenders, such as real estate mortgage, share pledge, receivables pledge, surety and etc. Among those various securities, real estate mortgage will be safer given that property market in China is still appearing strong.

As far as foreign loaners are concerned, it shall be noted that foreigners making loans within China denominated in foreign currency other than Chinese official currency RMB will find their loanning activities illegal if such loans are brought before court because China prohibits circulation of foreign currency within Chinese territory except as otherwise provided by state. Back in 1996, China State Administration of Foreign Exchange declared the loanning in foreign currencies between enterprises illegal. In the Administrative Measures on Personal Foreign Exchange coming into effect in 2007, foreign individuals making foreign loans or providing securities to domestic entities are required to comply with rules relating to administration of foreign debts. Strictly speaking, foreign individuals making loans denominated in foreign currencies to other individuals within China are also unlawful.

If you have any question relating to the topic, please contact the author, Jason Tian, for more at [email protected], or [email protected], at +8613816548421 (Beijing Time).

Comments

  1. Nsubuga Charles says:

    Am Charles from Uganda am looking for someone who is interested in investing money in Uganda Kampala I have started up real Estate investment Ltd but I need financial support

  2. Joanne swift says:

    Hi Jason

    Would you please introduce me to a repretable loan company here thankyou so much for your article

    1. Jason Tian says:

      Joanne, i don’t think you can easily find a good lender much depending on your credibility and your financial conditions. Private lending can be risky if you get indulged in it.

  3. Roy Chong says:

    Hello Jason Tan, I have several borrowers in China. Commercial real estate mortgage financing from private lenders with competitive loan rate. 2 collateral in Shandong Province . One in Changsha, Hunan. contact me for further communication

    1. Jason Tian says:

      hi Roy, what can I do for you?

  4. Angela Baker says:

    How can I an American get one of those 3% loans?

  5. Zhang Xin says:

    (Zhang Xin Loan Company Asians )
    We offer Loans to individuals, Firms and cooperate
    bodies at 3% interest rate per annum, The Minimum
    amount you can borrow is $2,000.00 US Dollars to
    Maximum of $1.3.Million.Please, provide the following:

    1. Name Of Applicant:…….
    2. Age:………………….
    3. Location:……………..
    4. Amount Needed……..
    5. Duration:……………..
    6. Phone Number………….
    7. Fax Number……………
    C.E.O,
    MISS, Zhang Xin
    Zhuhai China

    1. Jason Tian says:

      Are you kidding?

    2. Eston says:

      Hi, I contacted the number provided but no one answered

  6. I would like to discuss other aspects of this topic further with you,if you like.

    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Thank you.
    Yours sincerely,
    A.Dodji

    1. Jason Tian says:

      you are welcome to talk about this more with me, Dodji. Just send me emails.

  7. John says:

    Thanks for this excellent post. Regarding the 2008 regulations allowing “small-amount loaning companies”, can any private company in China use these regulations to lend money to another company? If so, is there any upper limit on the size of the loan? Finally, could a China private company use these, or any other, regulations to lend money to a foreign company?

    1. Jason Tian says:

      Hi John, any private company can act as promoter to incorporate such a small-amount loaning company and use this loaning company to lend money to borrowers. Small amount loaning companies are created by policies to facilitate financing to agricultral activities and small- and tiny enterprises, a complement to the state-owned banking systems that favor big companies.

      Small amount loaning company is restricted in conducting its business in many aspects. Geographically, they are allowed to conduct business in certain administrative territory (at county level); there are limitations on lending, such as loan made available to one single borrower shall not exceed 5% of its net capital.

      In China, enterprises are prohibited from making loans to each other, though in practice it is an open secret to anyone that there are many loans made between enterprises. However, one company may make entrustment loans to another enterprise via an intermediary bank that supervises the loaning activities.

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