14.08.202608:00:00UTC+00China’s Outstanding Loan Growth Slows to 5.1% in July, Extending Downtrend

China’s outstanding loan growth eased further in July 2026, signaling a continued moderation in credit expansion across the economy. Year-over-year growth in outstanding loans slowed to 5.1% in July, down from 5.3% in June 2026.

The data, updated on 14 August 2026, show that credit conditions continue to soften when compared with the same period a year earlier. Both the current reading for July and the previous reading for June are calculated on a year-over-year basis, reflecting how much outstanding lending has grown relative to the corresponding months of the prior year.

The incremental deceleration from 5.3% to 5.1% suggests a cautious lending environment, with banks and borrowers alike demonstrating restraint despite ongoing efforts to support economic activity. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming credit data closely to assess whether this slowdown in loan growth persists in the second half of 2026.