The US Fed announced the results for the second monetary policy meeting in 2025, and kept the federal funds rate at 4.25-4.5%, in line with market consensus, marking the second consecutive meeting to stay put. The unchanged US interest rate was in line with market consensus, Ivy Wong, Centaline Mortgage's managing director, said. Based on Hong Kong banks' acceleration in cutting prime rates in 2024, it is expected that Hong Kong's mortgage rate for 1H25 will be maintained at the current level of 3.5%, as Hong Kong banks also kept their prime rates unchanged on unchanged US rate.