October 16, 2023 – The People’s Bank of China maintains the status quo, sustaining the one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) at 2.50% while infusing liquidity to support economic recovery.
Beijing, China – In a move aligned with analysts’ expectations, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has chosen to uphold the one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) at 2.50%, maintaining China’s critical policy interest rate. This announcement, made on October 16, comes as the central bank aims to reinforce the nation’s economic resilience in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
To further buoy the economy and ensure ample liquidity, the People’s Bank of China injected a substantial 289 billion yuan, equivalent to $39.6 billion, into the financial system via the MLF program. This strategic financial infusion is intended to fortify short-term liquidity for commercial banks.
The MLF program operates as a benchmark interest rate that dictates the costs incurred by commercial banks when borrowing funds from the People’s Bank of China. This financial instrument typically applies to loans with durations ranging from six months to one year, fostering a more robust environment for short-term financial operations.
The injection of liquidity observed today marks the most significant since December 2020, signifying the Chinese central bank’s steadfast commitment to buttressing the domestic economy. This move also supports the sale of debt instruments, further bolstering China’s economic resilience during a period of uncertainty and challenges.
Notably, the decision regarding the MLF interest rate precedes another key event in the calendar of China’s financial markets. The People’s Bank of China is poised to announce the one-year and five-year prime loan interest rates (LPR) on Friday, October 20. The one-year LPR interest rate functions as a critical index measuring the prevailing interest rates on private sector loans, while the five-year LPR interest rate helps assess the trajectory of household interest rates, encompassing rates on mortgage loans.
While anticipation surrounds the forthcoming announcement, most analysts predict that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will maintain the existing rates for both one-year and five-year LPR interest rates on October 20. This follows the PBOC’s decision to retain the MLF lending rate today, signaling a commitment to stability in the current financial climate.