The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the results of the residential mortgage survey for August 2024.

     The number of mortgage applications in August decreased month-on-month by 12.2 per cent to 5,919.

     Mortgage loans approved in August decreased by 12.2 per cent compared with July to HK$21.8 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased by 11.7 per cent to HK$7.6 billion and those financing secondary market transactions decreased by 13.7 per cent to HK$11.8 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing decreased by 5.6 per cent to HK$2.4 billion. 

     Mortgage loans drawn down during August decreased by 2.9 per cent compared with July to HK$15.9 billion. 

     The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR decreased from 89.8 per cent in July to 88.6 per cent in August. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates increased from 4.6 per cent in July to 6 per cent in August.

     The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.1 per cent to HK$1,870.3 billion at end-August. 

     The mortgage delinquency ratio remained unchanged at 0.1 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio remained unchanged at nearly 0 per cent.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (September 30) the conclusions of the public consultation on a proposal for information sharing among Authorized Institutions (AIs) to aid in prevention or detection of crime (Conclusions Document). The Conclusions Document sets out the main comments received, the HKMA’s responses, and the next steps on taking forward the HKMA’s proposal.

     The HKMA launched a public consultation on January 23, 2024 to seek views from the banking sector and the public on proposals to facilitate sharing of information among AIs of information on customer accounts (including personal customers) for the purposes of preventing and detecting crime. The aim of the proposals is to help protect bank customers and the banking system against abuse for fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF).
      
     The HKMA received a total of 18 submissions from the banking industry, professional associations, public sector, law enforcement agencies, relevant firms and organisations and members of the public in the consultation. Respondents were generally in support of the proposal. In particular, the HKMA welcomes the comments provided by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) from the perspective of protection of personal data privacy under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (PDPO), which are reflected in the Conclusions Document.
      
     The HKMA will take into account the comments received and proceed with preparation of the necessary legislative amendments, which will form part of the overall review of the Banking Ordinance. In the meantime, the HKMA will continue to engage stakeholders on practical matters relating to implementation of the proposal.

     The Conclusions Document is available on the HKMA website.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) forecasted that the health risk category of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some air quality monitoring stations may reach the "Serious" level later today (September 30).
      
     The EPD has recorded higher-than-normal air pollution levels in some areas since last Thursday afternoon (September 26). Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of tropical cyclone Krathon, the weather today is fine and very hot with moderate northwesterly winds. Weak winds are unfavourable for pollutant dispersion. The intense sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity, leading to the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high ozone level also promotes the formation of nitrogen dioxide.
      
     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a fresh to strong northeast monsoon will reach the coast of Guangdong tomorrow (October 1). Under its influence, winds along the coast of Guangdong will strengthen in the middle part of this week. It is expected that air quality will improve by then.
      
     With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
      
     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
      
     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings on the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.

     A girl who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.

     Chuenarom Mei-yee, aged 13, went missing after she left her residence on Kei Lung Street on September 16 night. Her family then made a report to Police on September 19.

     The girl was located in Nam Cheong Street, Cheung Sha Wan, this afternoon (September 30). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, September 30, 2024 is 102.8 (up 0.2 against last Saturday's index).

     â€‹The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, September 27, 2024 was 102.6 (up 0.1 against last Friday's index).