Another policy reversal The Bank of Zambia as increase the amount lenders can charge for credit. The cap on lending rates rises to 28 percent from 21 percent effective immediately. The PF government introduced maximum lending limits in December 2012 in an effort to force banks to lend money at lower rates and stimulate the economy. Lower borrowing costs were a key pledge of the PF during the 2011. And they thought the easiest way was to set a cap. In exchange PF gave banks a large corporate tax cut in the 2013 budget. We predicted in March 2014 that the GRZ measures, such as changes to overnight lending requirements, increase policy rates and higher domestic borrowing, will put a lot of pressure on the maximum lending ceiling to the extent that GRZ would be forced to revoke it ! Well it has not quite been revoked ibut it has been increased substantially. Which of course has the same practical effect! What does this mean for you? It means getting affordable credit from the banks will become even harder. Unless of course you a bank owner, in which case you already are enjoying the corporate tax cut in 2013 budget. And some say, PF is centre left political party. Are we sure about that? So, for everyone it means that if you are Zambian and your only source of income is domestic you will continue to struggle. As the cost of capital goes up only foreign investors, with cheaper access to borrowing abroad, will have a an even better chance than before of getting ahead in our economy. QUESTION: Do you support the latest increase in the maximum lending rate?
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:52:27 +0000
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