Shadow banking beckons for some mid-sized lenders

China's efforts to tame financial-sector risks have slowed the overall growth in banks' shadow loans, though some of the country's mid-sized lenders are still pushing rapidly into the sector, according to an analysis of their latest filings.

So-called investment receivables, or "debt securities classified as receivables", at 25 listed Chinese banks grew to 11 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion) as of June 30, from 9.7 trillion yuan at the end of December, according to first-half earnings statements released so far. That category provides the best insight into their shadow-banking exposure.

The continued growth suggests a limited impact from regulations introduced in April by the China Banking Regulatory Commission to curb the shadow-lending industry.