"HK Property" Meridian: In November, existing property mortgages fell by more than 25%, while pre-sale property mortgages dropped by over 61%, hitting a 19-month low

According to the latest data from the Mortgage Referral Research Department and the Land Registry, the number of existing home mortgage transactions in November this year was 4,951, a decrease of 1,711 transactions (25.7%) from 6,662 transactions in October, marking a new low in seven months; while the number of pre-sale mortgage transactions in that month was 232, a decrease of 367 transactions (61.3%) from 599 transactions in October, falling for two consecutive months and reaching a new low in 19 months.

Compared to 3,096 transactions in the same period last year, the number of existing home mortgage transactions in November this year increased by 1,855 transactions (59.9%); the number of pre-sale mortgage transactions decreased by 27 transactions (10.4%) compared to 259 transactions in the same period last year.

In the first eleven months of this year, the number of existing home mortgage transactions recorded was 59,179, an increase of 12,843 transactions or 27.7% compared to 46,336 transactions in the same period last year. The number of pre-sale mortgage transactions in the first eleven months of this year was 6,273, a significant increase of 2,408 transactions or 62.3% compared to 3,865 transactions in the same period last year, reaching a new high for the first eleven months in nearly five years.

Cao Deming, Chief Vice President of the Mortgage Referral Department, stated that recent months have seen a decline in market transactions, coupled with a lack of large new developments or new housing buyers attending meetings, leading to a decrease in both existing home and pre-sale mortgage numbers. Currently, interest rates have fallen to relatively reasonable levels, and housing prices are gradually stabilizing. The public's attitude towards the market outlook is becoming more optimistic, which will accelerate the pace of entry for both end-users and investors. It is expected that market transactions in the coming year will steadily rise, which could drive up the numbers for existing home and pre-sale mortgages.

In terms of market share for existing home mortgages, Bank of China (Hong Kong) has won the championship for fourteen consecutive months, ranking first with a market share of 25.6%; HSBC ranks second with a market share of 21.4%; Hang Seng Bank ranks third with a market share of 9.9%; Standard Chartered Bank ranks fourth with a market share of 8.9%; and Bank of East Asia ranks fifth with a market share of 7.3%.

In terms of market share for pre-sale mortgages, Bank of China (Hong Kong) has returned to the top spot, ranking first with a market share of 28%; HSBC has dropped one level, ranking second with a market share of 22.4%; Hang Seng Bank ranks third with a market share of 14.7%; Standard Chartered Bank has risen one level, ranking fourth with a market share of 10.3%; and Bank of Communications has dropped one level, ranking fifth with a market share of 8.2%.

In November 2025, the market share of the four major banks for existing homes fell from 74.3% last month to 65.9%, marking a new low in six months. Cao Deming stated that with interest rates falling and housing prices stabilizing, banks maintain a positive attitude towards mortgage business, launching various mortgage plans and incentives to compete for mortgage business, which has a positive supporting effect on the mortgage market