Hong Kong Deposits Rise 1.4% in August, Renminbi Deposits Decline 2.1% Amid Fluctuating Monetary Trends

Monetary Statistics for August 2026

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Photo source: reference image

According to statistics published today (September 30) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total deposits with authorized institutions increased by 1.4 per cent in August 2026. Among the total, Hong Kong dollar deposits and foreign currency deposits increased by 2.2per cent and 0.8per cent respectively in August. In the year to end-August, total deposits and Hong Kong dollar deposits increased by 7.3per cent and 8.6per cent respectively. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong decreased by 2.1per cent in August to RMB1,101.5 billion at the end of August. The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement amounted to RMB1,537.6 billion in August, compared with RMB1,383.7 billion in July. 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 0.3per cent in August, and increased by 7.0per cent in the year to end-August. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) increased by 0.4 per cent, while loans for use outside Hong Kong remained virtually unchanged in August. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio decreased to 69.3per cent at the end of August from 70.7per cent at the end of July, as Hong Kong dollar deposits increased at a faster pace than Hong Kong dollar loans.

Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both increased by 2.1per cent in August, and both increased by 9.9per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 increased by 3.5per cent in August, and increased by 4.7per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 1.4per cent in August. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 both increased by 11.0 per cent.

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

Order to amend Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to be gazetted on October 2

A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (September 30) that the Government will publish the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of FirstSchedule) Order 2026 (DDO Order) in the Gazette on Friday (October 2).

The DDO Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 7, 2026, for negative vetting. It is expected to become effective on November 27, 2026. Details including the justifications of the legislative proposal could be found from the brief for the Legislative Council issued today at Annex.

The DDO Order will add three substances, namely-

(1) N-Pyrrolidino isotonitazene,

(2) N-Desethyletonitazene,and

(3) Methyl2-{[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)indazole-3-carbonyl]amino}-3,3-dimethylbutanoate("MDMB-FUBINACA")

to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). Under the strict control of the DDO, trafficking and manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5million.Possession and consumption of these substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $1million.

The Government has been vigilant in closely monitoring drug trends in and outside Hong Kong, and takes action in a timely manner to bring new drugs under legislative control. As a regular exercise, the Government, from time to time, proposes amendments to the DDO to include new dangerous drugs under statutory control with a view to preventing them from posing a threat to public health and public safety. The spokesperson said, "The amendments align with international control requirements and aim to strengthen safeguards against any potential trafficking and abuse of these dangerous drugs. This will further reinforce Hong Kong's defence against drugs."

Say no to drugs. Photo source: reference image