| 1. | With existing loans also being refinanced to take advantage of the lower rates , this contributed to the squeeze on banks lending margins
加上现有住宅按揭进行再融资以享有低息率，令银行的贷款息差收窄。 |
| 2. | Hong kong s banking system remains safe and stable despite an increasing trend in bankruptcies , sluggish loan growth and narrowing lending margins
尽管破产个案持续上升、贷款增长呆滞及贷款息差收窄，本港银行体系仍然健全及稳定。 |
| 3. | The overall net interest margin for 2000 widened , largely owing to relatively low funding costs , which helped to offset the contraction in lending margins
2000年的整体净息差扩阔，主要是因为资金成本相对偏低，有助抵销贷款息差收窄。 |
| 4. | " so far , relatively low funding costs have helped to compensate for the squeeze on lending margins , but it cannot be assumed that this situation will persist .
由于银行的资金成本相对偏低，可暂时抵销贷款息差收窄的影响，但是我们不能假设这种情况会持续下去。 |
| 5. | If loan growth remains sluggish , it may put further pressure on banks to compete for limited business , particularly for residential mortgage loans , by reducing lending margins
若贷款增长仍然呆滞，为了竞逐有限的业务，特别是住宅按揭贷款，银行可能会面对更大压力，需要进一步收窄贷款息差。 |
| 6. | " while the easing in funding costs has helped to reduce the impact on lending margins , banks should assess carefully the implications for their profitability should funding costs rise
虽然银行借贷成本下调有助减低贷款息差受到的影响，但银行仍须小心评估借贷成本一旦上升对其盈利可能构成的影响。 |
| 7. | The banking environment , however , became more competitive and difficult . domestic loan growth remained sluggish , thus squeezing lending margins . several mergers and acquisitions also took place during the year
本地贷款增长仍然呆滞，令贷款息差收窄。银行业在2000年亦完成了多项合并及收购事项。 |
| 8. | " while the downward pressure on lending margins in this environment is understandable , the combination of this with steadily rising arrears is a trend to which banks should pay close attention .
虽然在目前的环境下，贷款息差所受的压力是可以理解的，但再加上拖欠还款的情况逐步增加的情况，银行必须密切留意这种趋势的发展。 |
| 9. | Competition intensified for the limited amount of new business , particularly residential mortgage business , resulting in aggressive price - cutting strategies by banks and further contraction in lending margins
由于新业务机会有限，所以竞争趋于白热化，特别是住宅按揭业务，引致银行采用进取的减息策略，令贷款息差进一步收窄。 |
