BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's yuan-denominated loans rose 5.61 trillion yuan (about 812.96 billion U.S. dollars) in the first two months of the year, central bank data showed on Friday.

At the end of February, outstanding yuan loans amounted to 277.52 trillion yuan, up 6 percent year on year, according to the People's Bank of China.

The M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased by 9 percent year on year to 349.22 trillion yuan by the end of last month.

The M1, which covers cash in circulation, demand deposits and client reserves of non-bank payment institutions, stood at 115.93 trillion yuan at the end of February, up 5.9 percent year on year. ■