Speaking during a Legislative Assembly policy debate in response to a question from lawmaker Song Pek Kei, Sam Hou Fai said that as of end-September, loans involving companies that own properties hosting satellite casinos represented only a tiny share of Macau’s more than MOP1 trillion in total bank lending. He stressed that the planned exit of all satellite casinos is therefore unlikely to trigger systemic financial concerns.
Sam added that key indicators show the city’s banking sector remains stable. As of September, non-performing loans totaled MOP55.5 billion, with a non-performing loan ratio of 5.44 percent, slightly lower than in May. The financial system’s capital adequacy ratio reached 15.78 percent, well above the statutory requirement of 8 percent. The residential mortgage delinquency rate stood at 3.8 percent in August, down 0.5 percentage points from a year earlier, reflecting steady overall conditions.
He acknowledged that the closure or handover of satellite casinos may bring some pressure to financial institutions and affected companies, but said the risks remain “within controllable levels.” The government will continue monitoring related loan exposures as venues close or return to concessionaires.
On property policy, Sam said the government aims to balance free-market dynamics with “appropriate intervention.” He highlighted the exemption of stamp duty on the first MOP6 million of a property transfer—limited to permanent residents purchasing their only home—as a measure intended to stabilise the market and remain more attractive than those of neighbouring regions. He added that recent US interest-rate cuts have also brought positive effects to Macau’s financial-risk outlook.
Sam also revealed that the government is discussing the establishment of a training centre for insurance-regulation professionals from Portuguese-speaking countries. The initiative aims to cultivate financial talent capable of working across languages and regulatory frameworks, strengthening Macau’s position as a hub for China–Portuguese-speaking-countries financial cooperation. Through talent development and institutional collaboration, Sam said, Macau can deepen bilateral and multilateral financial ties and expand its role in high-level external opening.
