SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Total bank lending in Singapore fell in December from the previous month, as a drop in loans to sectors such as manufacturing and general commerce offset increases for others including building and construction.

Loans and advances by domestic banks in the city-state amounted to $607.96 billion last month, compared with $608.17 billion in November, according to data released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on Friday (Jan 30).

December bank lending grew 5.9 per ent from $574.27 billion a year earlier.

Housing and bridging loans in December increased to $177.4 billion from $166.5 billion a year earlier. These loans stood at $176.2 billion in November.

Loans and advances in non-Singapore Asian currencies (ACU) were $541.1 billion in December, compared with $539.9 billion in November.