HANG Seng Bank is studying securitising part of its mortgage portfolio, according to chairman Sir Quo-wei Lee.
He said the bank was in no hurry to issue papers, but added: ''Our loan-to-deposit is low and we don't need cash now. But we are surely looking at it,'' he said.
HSBC Holdings group chief executive John Bond said the group was keeping a close watch on securitising its mortgage-loan portfolio. No plans have yet been made.
The move towards mortgage securitisation follows the Government's decision to rein in runaway property prices, which effectively increased anticipation of an impending consolidation in the sector.
which in turn has added to the vulnerability of mortgage loans.
Several banks in the territory have already securitised part of their mortgage portfolios.
