BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The head of the China Banking Regulatory Commission says banks should "effectively rein in" excessive lending to the real estate sector in a bid to curb soaring house prices.

    At a policy meeting attended by senior executives of major Chinese banks, commission chairman Liu Mingkang called for "strict scrutinization" of loans for investment homes, as well as luxury apartments and villas.

    The down-payment requirement, as a percentage of the total costs of high-end properties, would be raised, he added, but did not confirm the margin.

    Earlier media reports said overall down-payments on new homes would be lifted by 20 percent, but the central bank immediately quashed the rumors.

    Liu said the regulator would also focus on the repayment abilities, intentions and records of home buyers.

    The National Bureau of Statistics has reported home prices rose 5.5 percent in the first quarter, compared with the same period last year, despite repeated government calls for a "healthier" development.

    Banks issued 1.26 trillion yuan in loans in the first quarter, just over half the annual target set by the regulator. Enditem