NPL growth not worrisome: study

Though China may see more non-performing loans next year due to the anticipated lower economic growth, it would still be at manageable levels, a recent study said.

The study conducted by a unit of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences indicated that wholesale and retail, information technology services and manufacturing accounted for most of the NPLs (for which figures are available) in China during 2013.

The NPL rate for these three sectors was 2.6 percent, 2 percent and 1.8 percent respectively, much higher than the industry average of 0.6 percent.

The findings are part of the annual report on China's financial development prepared by the Institute of Finance and Banking under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"These sectors are vulnerable to economic cycles. Slower economic growth will lead to more work pressure and also impact the loan performances," said Wang Guogang, director of the Institute of Finance and Banking.