PBOC announces new move to help stabilize property market

The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, said on Friday that it has abolished the nationwide policy floor for the interest rates on commercial mortgage loans for first-time and second-time home buyers as the country's latest step to stabilize the property market.

The PBOC also said that, starting from Saturday, the interest rates for personal housing provident fund loans will be reduced by 0.25 percentage points.

The rates for housing provident fund loans for first-time home buyers with terms of up to five years and over will be adjusted to 2.35 percent and 2.85 percent, respectively.

For second-time home buyers, the rates will be adjusted to no less than 2.775 percent and 3.325 percent for housing provident fund loans up to 5 years and over, respectively, the central bank said.