Hong Kong banks' mainland China exposure to exceed 30% of system-wide assets by end-2017
Thanks to Chinese corporates' aggressive international expansion.
Fitch expects Hong Kong’s mainland China exposure (MCE) to continue 1H16’s upward trend, as Hong Kong banks become more sophisticated in their China-related activities – which should lead to a pick-up in the onshore activities of Hong Kong banks.
"Chinese corporates’ international expansion will be another growth factor, as this creates opportunities for larger banks to finance them abroad. We believe that MCE will exceed 30% of system-wide assets by end-2017 (1H16: 27.6%, 2015: 27.3%)," says Fitch.