China’s New Bank Loans Hit Record in 2019, More Stimulus Expected

People walk near skyscrapers at Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China on May, 16, 2019. Aly Song/Reuters

BEIJING—New bank lending in China hit a record of 16.81 trillion yuan ($2.44 trillion) in 2019 as the central bank eased policy to support a slowing economy hobbled by weak global demand and the Sino-U.S. trade war.