IMF Publishes Report on 2019 Article IV Consultation with Macao

The staff report highlights that balance sheets of the banking system continue to suggest that the sector remains sound, but ongoing attention to large short-term foreign liabilities and to the quality and liquidity of foreign assets is needed. Foreign banks are the bulk of the financial system and they constitute 24 foreign branches and subsidiaries and four local banks. The large scale of the banking system (about 400% of GDP in total assets) calls for continued supervisory caution. Domestic operations remain strong regarding liquidity and asset quality, helped by moderate private-sector leverage. The external side of the banking sector balance sheet shows large foreign liabilities, over 65% short-term, increasing funding risks. Regarding risks to foreign assets, given the significant bank exposure to the Mainland (about 30% of external assets), recent efforts by the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) and PBC to strengthen financial supervisory and regulatory cooperation, with plans to set up an information exchange framework, are welcome.

The authorities reported on satisfactory results from regular stress tests on banks’ assets, including from shocks to the real estate portfolio and the Mainland exposure. The current housing macro-prudential stance and related fiscal measures appear broadly appropriate. With new measures in place in 2017 and 2018, systemic risks in the housing market appear broadly contained. Further actions should take into account evolving market conditions, including the recent growth deceleration and leveling-off in residential property prices. If residential property prices resume strong growth and pose a risk to financial stability, the authorities could consider tightening macro-prudential and/or fiscal-based measures. The authorities are encouraged to replace the residency-based differentiation in the loan-to-value (LTV) framework with alternative measures. Housing affordability concerns should be addressed by a broad set of supply policies, including advancing regulatory policy within a transparent framework that supports private sector supply and boosts well-targeted public housing supply.

The report notes that the AMCM could further strengthen the framework for sound fintech adoption. Measures could be taken to further increase cyber resilience in financial institutions and fintech firms, to promote regtech to reduce regulatory costs, and incentivize fintech firms to participate in a regulatory sandbox. Enhanced cross-border supervisory collaboration could help prevent regulatory arbitrage and avoidance. Recent efforts toward cooperation in financial regulation by the AMCM and PBC, including to coordinate work on fintech in Macao SAR, provide an opportunity for progress.

Related Link: Staff Report

Keywords: Asia Pacific, Macao, Banking, Article IV, Fintech, FSAP, Macro-Prudential Policy, Systemic Risk, AMCM, PBC, IMF