XN000022-1989-04-01 — Page 6

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SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989

LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DROPPED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 2.9 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.7 PER CENT.

OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 FOLLOWING A GROWTH RATE OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 35.4 PER CENT.

LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.6 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 32.3 PER CENT.

NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS

215.

THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 159. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY ONE TO

/MONETARY STATISTICS