According to data from the research department, primary mortgage registrations in January 2026 reached 7,852 cases, marking a substantial 60.5% increase month-on-month and hitting the highest level in 31 months since June 2023 (8,096 cases).

This surge was driven by robust property market transactions in the fourth quarter of last year, which subsequently boosted mortgage registrations, alongside an increase in registration completions for newly completed private residential projects and subsidized housing units entering occupation during the month.

Key contributors included approximately 1,900 mortgage registrations from private developments such as SIERRA SEA 1B Phase, SIERRA SEA 1A(2) Phase, A SEASONS PLACE in Lohas Park Phase 12, and Sky Peak, plus around 1,500 completion-related registrations for the subsidized housing projects, On Lai Court and On Wah Court.

Meanwhile, registrations for presale property mortgages totaled 379 cases in January 2026, rising by 26.8% compared to the previous month.

Regarding market share, BOC HONG KONG (02388) led the primary mortgage market in January 2026, maintaining its position as the monthly champion for an impressive 16 consecutive months, while HSBC climbed one rank to claim the top spot in the presale mortgage segment.

Wong Mei-fung, Managing Director of Centaline Mortgage, pointed out that the property market benefited from an increase in diverse buyer sources and vigorous trading activity in 2025, leading to a comprehensive boost in market confidence.

She noted that mortgage interest rates remain at relatively low levels, coupled with near-zero deposit rates and high rental yields, which have successfully attracted capital into the property market and spurred mortgage registrations.

Ms. Wong anticipates that these favorable factors will persist throughout the year, further supported by a positive stock market performance continuing to generate wealth effects.

With banks maintaining an active and positive stance on mortgage lending this year, she expects property transactions to remain buoyant, reinforcing the upward trajectory of the housing market and driving sustained growth in mortgage loan volume and registration numbers.

Data from Centaline Mortgage's research department revealed that the combined market share of the top four banks in the primary mortgage sector increased by 5.3 percentage points month-on-month to 76.3% in January 2026.

BOC HONG KONG's market share grew by 5 percentage points to 31.4%; HSBC's share decreased by 1.3 percentage points to 22.7%, retaining its second-place ranking; Hang Seng Bank's share increased by 4.8 percentage points to 14.0%, elevating its rank by one position to third; while Standard Chartered's share fell by 3.2 percentage points to 8.2%, dropping one rank to fourth.

In the presale mortgage segment for January 2026, HSBC's market share increased by 6.5 percentage points month-on-month to 26.9%, reclaiming the top position with 102 registrations.

BOC HONG KONG's share decreased by 3.4 percentage points to 23.7%, slipping to second place; Hang Seng Bank's share fell by 2.1 percentage points to 11.3%, maintaining its third position; Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) saw its share increase by 3.6 percentage points to 11.3%, jumping three ranks to tie for third place with Hang Seng Bank; and Standard Chartered's share rose by 1.2 percentage points to 10.6%, but its rank dropped one spot to fifth.