Reduction in lending rates and Leasing Companies
The Central Bank has been easing its monetary policy since the
beginning of 2009 in view of the rapid decleration in inflation, in
order to provide a stimulus to economic activities. In response, money
market interest rates have fallen gradually and Treasury Bills yield
rates have declined by over 900 basis points so far this year. Similar
declines have been observed in other short-term interest rates as well.
In line with such decline, banks' deposit and lending rates too have
reduced significantly. Deposit rates of registered finance companies and
borrowing rates of specialized leasing companies too have reduced, and
are expected to reduce even further, resulting in a substantial
reduction in their costs of funds.
In that context, the Central Bank is of the view that there is now
sufficient space for the registered finance companies and specialised
leasing companies to reduce their lending rates, and accordingly the
Central Bank expects those financial institutions to make a commensurate
downward adjustment in lending rates, over the coming weeks. Such a
reduction would benefit entrepreneurs in industry, services and
agriculture sectors, in particular small and medium scale businesses. At
the same time, the leasing, hire purchase and other lending volumes of
registered finance companies and specialized leasing companies would
increase as a result, thereby contributing to improve economic
activities in the country.
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