Hong Kong landlords and property industry representatives have publicly criticized local banks for restricting credit in the commercial real estate sector. According to industry figures, banks are becoming increasingly reluctant to issue mortgages for retail shops, a trend that persists even as property valuations have declined significantly.

Shih Wing-ching, founder of Centaline Property, noted that while banks are actively competing for residential mortgage business—which has seen a recent uptick in momentum—they are simultaneously pulling back from commercial lending. Industry stakeholders argue that this discrepancy in lending appetite is preventing potential buyers from entering the market, thereby worsening the existing slump in the shop property sector. The accusations suggest that the banks' risk-averse behavior is creating a liquidity bottleneck that prevents the commercial market from stabilizing, even at lower price points.