Major banks hold prime rates unchanged

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation said it is keeping its prime rate unchanged at 5.25 percent, following the hold of the US Federal Reserve.

The major local lender lowered the rate associated with mortgage loans by 0.125 percentage points in December.

HSBC also maintained the interest rates for Hong Kong dollar deposit accounts.

BOC Hong Kong (2388) and Hang Seng Bank (0011) also hold their prime rate at 5.25 percent. Standard Chartered Hong Kong's rate stayed at 5.5 percent.

STAFF REPORTER