What happened
On August 28, the People's Bank of China and the financial regulator jointly issued new mortgage credit rules, raising the maximum term for individual home loans from 30 years to 40 years, with the exact term to be negotiated between the borrower and the commercial bank.
Two days later, Cailian Press reporters learned that China Construction Bank had begun implementing the policy. A CCB customer service representative said borrowers may apply to extend their loan term, and the bank will assess the stated reason for the extension, repayment sources, and future repayment plans before deciding on a reasonable extended period.
Under CCB's current practice, the extension cannot exceed half of the original loan term, and the original term plus the extension cannot exceed 40 years. For example, a borrower with a 30-year loan can extend by up to 10 years, while a borrower with a 10-year loan can extend by up to 5 years.
Why it matters
The move signals that major banks are actively translating the new national mortgage framework into operational rules, giving existing borrowers a concrete path to lower monthly payments by stretching out repayment schedules.
Because the extension is discretionary and based on individual assessment, the practical impact will depend on how consistently lenders apply the criteria and whether borrowers can demonstrate stable repayment capacity.
Key facts
CCB has opened applications for existing customers to extend personal home loan terms.
The maximum loan term for individual housing loans was extended from 30 years to no more than 40 years by new rules issued August 28.
For CCB, the extended period is capped at half the original loan term, and the combined original plus extended term cannot exceed 40 years.
CCB has been executing the new rules since the policy release date, August 28, 2026.
What to watch next
Whether other major banks will follow CCB and publish similar implementation details for existing mortgage holders.
How banks weigh individual repayment sources and future plans when approving extensions, and whether approval rates vary widely across regions or branches.