立法會於2022年10月26日通過了修訂《放債人條例》（第 163 章）的決議。

該修正案自2022年12月30日起生效，不具有追溯效力。

根據此修訂案，法定利率上限（“過高利率”）將從每年60%降低至48%；敲詐勒索利率（“敲詐勒索利率”）將從每年48%降至36%（統稱為“經修訂的利率限制”）。

此外，該修訂刪除了《放債人條例》附表中對限額門檻金額的具體引用並交叉引用了《放債人條例》中確定經修訂的利率限制的相關部分。

對於在2022年12月30日之前簽訂的實際年利率超過48%的現有貸款安排，放債人無需對其年利率進行修改或重新商議。但是，如放債人於2022年12月30日或之後延長或再融資實際年利率高於48%的現有貸款安排，則需重新考慮是否降低年利率。

修訂前《放債人條例》中所規定利率是於1980年制定的。香港的利率環境及放債行業自那時以來發生了重大變化。因此，此次修訂是為了適應市場的變化以及更好地保護公眾利益。

違反《放債人條例》經修訂的利率限制的法律後果將保持不變。如果一項貸款安排收取的實際年利率高於“過高利率”，貸款人則有可能面臨承擔刑事責任和處罰。同時，根據《放債人條例》第24(2)條，任何收取實際年利率高於“過高利率”的合同將被視為無法強制執行。此外，根據《放債人條例》第25(3)條，任何收取實際年利率高於“敲詐勒索利率”的交易將被推定為敲詐性交易，除非法院認為該實際年利率是合理或公平的。若某宗交易被視為敲詐性交易，香港法庭可重新商議此交易，並給予其認為適當的指示。

合夥人馬瑞安律師

The Legislative Council (“LegCo”) passed a resolution to amend the Money Lenders Ordinance (Cap. 163)(the “MLO”) on 26 October 2022.

The amendment came into effect on 30 December 2022, with no retrospective effect.

Pursuant to the amendments, the statutory interest rate cap (“Excessive Rate”) will be lowered from 60% to 48% per annum; and the extortionate rate (“Extortionate Rate”) will be lowered from 48% to 36% per annum (together “Amended Interest Rate Limits”).

Additionally, there will be an amendment to schedule 3 of the MLO by removing specific references to the limit threshold amounts and cross-referencing to the relevant sections of the MLO that establish the amended interest rate limits.

Any existing loan arrangement entered into before 30 December 2022, which charges an interest rate above 48% per annum, will not need to be amended or reopened. However, lenders are advised to reconsider and lower the interest rate if they are extending or refinancing an existing loan arrangement that charges an effective interest rate higher than 48% per annum on or after 30 December 2022.

The previous interest rates were set in 1980. The interest rate environment and the money lending sector in Hong Kong have changed significantly since then. Therefore, the amendments were made to catch up with the changes and better protect the public interest.

The consequence for violating the Amended Interest Rate Limits under the MLO will remain the same. Lenders may be liable for criminal offences and penalties if the loan arrangement charged an interest rate above the Excessive Rate. Such a contract will also be unenforceable according to section 24(2) of the MLO. Further, under section 25(3) of the MLO, any agreement for the repayment of a loan or for the payment of interest on a loan in respect of which the interest rate above the Extortionate Rate shall be considered extortionate unless the court is satisfied that such rate is reasonable or fair. The Court may reopen an extortionate transaction and make orders that it thinks fit.

Anthony Marrin
Partner, H. Y. Leung & Co., LLP