HONG KONG, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong-headquartered lender Dah Sing Banking Group 2356.HK said its credit impairment in the first half of this year increased 34% year-on-year, as the weakening commercial property market in Hong Kong weighed on its balance sheets.

The lender took HK$780.3 million ($99.97 million) in credit charges for the first six months this year, up from HK$582 million a year ago, according to the bank's earnings release on Wednesday.

($1 = 7.8052 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Selena Li and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong)

((Selena.Li@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3952 5868;))