New bank lending in China fell more than expected in February from a record high the previous month, even as the central bank seeks to spur sluggish economic growth and fight deflationary pressures. Chinese banks extended 1.45 trillion yuan ($201.5 billion) in new yuan loans in February, according to Reuters calculations based on data released by the People's Bank of China, down sharply from January and falling short of analysts' expectations. Outstanding yuan loans grew 10.1% from a year earlier - the lowest on record - compared with 10.4% growth in January. Analysts had expected 10.2%. A pull-back in February from ... (full story)