China Joins Global-Easing Wave With Bank Reserve Ratio Cut

China cut the amount of cash banks must set aside as reserves in a bid to boost the supply of loans, as capital outflows and weakness at the nation’s factories suggest a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy is deepening.

The reserve ratio will fall 50 basis points on Thursday, the People’s Bank of China said on its website Wednesday. The level will drop to 19.5 percent, based on previous statements, while some lenders to rural and small business get bigger reductions.