Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority plans review of mortgage finance rules and new guidance after industry meeting

The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) held a meeting with the Mortgage Finance Federation and mortgage finance companies as part of its ongoing engagement with non-banking financial services, and indicated it will move toward revisiting the regulatory framework for mortgage finance. The FRA also flagged forthcoming circulars and periodic guidance on financing mechanisms for both natural and legal persons. Industry participants raised proposals to amend certain controls to better reflect developments in the real estate market, including greater flexibility on financing ratios, debt burden limits, and repayment tenors, alongside measures to address operational and funding constraints. Discussions also covered improving liquidity through wider use of financing tools, led by securitisation, and developing more flexible products to broaden access across income segments. The FRA cited its latest statistics showing mortgage finance of about EGP 2.9 billion by end-January 2026 across regular clients and purchased portfolios, with portfolios transferred from real estate developers representing around 45% of total finance provided. Looking ahead, the FRA said it will review the rules governing mortgage finance activity, roll out training for company staff on new electronic systems and periodic data submissions, and work on organising real estate valuation experts through an integrated electronic system to support geographically-based property pricing mechanisms. The authority also reiterated firms’ obligations to comply with FRA Board Decision No. 45 of 2026 on licensing and continuity of key functions, and with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements in line with the competent unit’s instructions and the national risk assessment.