BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's banking watchdog imposed over 3,800 penalties in 2018, a record high.

Lending to the real estate sector is a key area for regulation, with over 30 banks punished for rule-breaking practices.

China Minsheng Bank was fined 31.6 million yuan (4.68 million U.S. dollars) early last December for irregularities including investing wealth management funds in the property market.

Misdeeds in lending and lack of supervision might give rise to loan default and fraud, inducing financial risks, increasing household leverage and inflating the stock and real estate bubbles.

Chinese authorities decided early last year to crack down on illegal property financing activities as part of efforts to curb real estate market speculation.