Money supply growth fails to maintain momentum

Experts say credit slowdown in December reflects shift toward 'new financial normal'

Money supply growth remained tight in China during December with lenders extending far less credit than in November, reflecting the country's "new financial normal", experts said on Thursday.

According to data released by the People's Bank of China, the central bank, China's broad M2 money supply measure grew 12.2 percent in December, far below market expectations and down on the 13.6 percent growth in M2 recorded in 2013.