IN BRIEF (Page 9)

Regulator urges lending curbs

The Shanghai branch of China Banking Regulatory Commission has asked banks to stop lending to projects outside of the nation's 4 trillion yuan stimulus package.

The regulator also requested banks to curb loans to projects financed through local government vehicles. Banks need to complete investigations into existing lending to these vehicles by June, the regulator said in a statement. The regulator also told banks to strictly follow mortgage and real estate lending requirements.