China interest rate cut: PBoC lowers stock buyback loan rate to 1%

What changed. According to RTHK and ZAKER (quoting the PBoC statement), from November 4, 2026 the rate on the relending tool for stock buybacks and shareholding increases is cut by 0.25 percentage point, to 1%. The previous rate, per Reuters and China Daily, was 1.25%.

How it works. The central bank does not lend to companies directly. It lends to banks, and the banks lend to listed companies and their major shareholders to buy shares. Support goes to 21 national banks and 5 systemically important city commercial banks. Coverage is 100%, the term is one year and it can be extended. Banks may add a margin to the central bank rate and set the loan term and rate themselves.

What else was announced. Reuters reports that on November 2 the PBoC turned the tool from a temporary arrangement into a long-term one. It launched in 2024. China Daily says signed loan agreements for buybacks and shareholding increases reached about 440 billion yuan, with more than 280 billion disbursed. After the November 2 meeting, banks applied for a quota of more than 200 billion yuan (RTHK).

Why now. Reuters ties the measures to the market slump: the CSI300 index lost 8.5% in October, its worst month since early 2016. The same day the PBoC also announced a swap operation with brokers and funds worth more than 100 billion yuan, with bidding on November 3.

Who this affects. First of all Chinese banks and listed companies that plan to buy back their own shares. The PBoC statement speaks only about loans for buybacks and shareholding increases and says nothing about ordinary borrowers. If you follow central bank rates, do not confuse it with the main policy rate. The sources say nothing about the policy rate on this day.

What we do not know. The sources do not say how the cut will affect share prices or the real rates companies pay. This is an overview, not a forecast or advice.

Confirmed facts

• From November 4, 2026 the PBoC cut the rate on its relending tool for stock buybacks and shareholding increases by 25 basis points (0.25 percentage point), to 1%.^[1][2]
• Before the cut the rate was 1.25%.^[3][4]
• The tool covers 21 national banks and 5 systemically important city commercial banks, with 100% coverage and a one-year term that can be extended.^[1][2]
• Banks may add a margin to the relending rate and set the loan term and rate themselves.^[1][2]
• After the November 2 meeting, banks applied for a relending quota of more than 200 billion yuan.^[1][2]
• The tool was turned from a temporary arrangement into a long-term one.^[3][4]
• Signed loan agreements for buybacks and shareholding increases total about 440 billion yuan, with more than 280 billion disbursed.^[4]
• The CSI300 index fell 8.5% in October, its worst month since early 2016.^[3]
• The PBoC announced a swap operation with financial firms worth more than 100 billion yuan, with bidding on Tuesday, November 3.^[3]

Implications

• ConfirmedThe rate on the stock buyback relending tool is now 1%, down from 1.25%.
• Our readingBanks decide their own margin, so the rate on loans to companies will be above 1% if the margin is positive.
• Our readingThis is the rate on one targeted tool, not the rate on ordinary loans or deposits. That is our reading.

Still unknown

• What margins banks will charge and what the final rate for companies will be
• How much money banks will draw from the central bank at the lower rate
• What further support steps the PBoC and regulators will announce

Who it affects

Global, China, Hong Kong. People who follow interest rates, China's stock market and central bank decisions

Sources

1. RTHK: 人行即日起下調股票回購增持再貸款利率25個基點 November 4, 2026 · media
2. ZAKER (Cailian Press): 央行：自 2026 年 11 月 4 日起 下调股票回购增持再贷款利率 0.25 个百分点至 1% November 4, 2026 · media
3. Reuters: China rolls out support measures to aid struggling stocks November 2, 2026 · media
4. China Daily (Xinhua): China steps up monetary policy support to bolster stock market November 2, 2026 · media