Hong Kong Deposits Dip 0.1% in January; Renminbi Deposits Rise 3.5% Amid Fluctuating Trends.

Monetary Statistics for January 2026

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

According to statistics published today (February 27) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total deposits with authorized institutions decreased by 0.1 per cent in January 2026. Among the total, Hong Kong dollar deposits increased by 1.3per cent, while foreign currency deposits decreased by 1.1per cent in January, mainly reflecting fund flows of corporates. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong increased by 3.5per cent in January to RMB993.9 billion at the end of January. The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement amounted to RMB1,016.4 billion in January, compared with RMB1,177.4 billion in December. It should be noted that changes in deposits are affected by a wide range of factors, such as interest rate movements and fund-raising activities. It is therefore more appropriate to observe the longer-term trends, and not to over-generalise fluctuations in a single month.

Total loans and advances increased by 1.1per cent in January. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) and loans for use outside Hong Kong increased by 0.7per cent and 2.2per cent respectively in January. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio decreased to 72.3per cent at the end of January from 72.9per cent at the end of December, as Hong Kong dollar deposits increased at a faster pace than Hong Kong dollar loans.

Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both increased by 1.1per cent in January, and both increased by 3.8per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 increased by 2.6per cent in January, and increased by 16.9per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both remained virtually unchanged in January. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 increased by 9.9per cent and 9.8per cent respectively.

As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $1.3 million

Hong Kong Customs on February 12 seized about 1 900 suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Based on risk assessment, Customs examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as car player converters, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods therein, including footwear, bags and clothing.

An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would have been exported to overseas regions.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $1.3 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases