CBN Policy May Push Interest Rates Higher

August 22, 2016

CBN

The lending rates of banks in Nigeria may experience a further push up this week as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues its contractionary monetary policy measures.

Last week, the apex bank squeezed out about N441.2 billion from the financial system, thereby pushing rates up to 25.6 per cent for interbank overnight funds. The rate had opened last week at 24.8 per cent.

This have again raised fears that the interest rates may come under fresh pressure this week as banks open for businesses today.

Last week, the first tranche of the CBN operation came at previous week’s rate of 18 percent for N205 billion worth of treasury instrument on Tuesday, but money market dealers said the apex bank spiked the rate two days later to 18.5 per cent for N236.1 billion worth of instrument, a development which did not only push up the overall market rates but also signalled further rise in lending rates to banks’ credit customers in the days ahead, if the spike rate continues.

Banks had raised their lending rates last month, following the jerk up in Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 14 per cent by the CBN, which was followed by steady rise in rates at the fixed income market and government securities.

Prime lending rates had since spiked beyond 20 per cent with most banks at over 25 per cent, while other categories of borrowers were slammed over 30 percent interest rates.

Treasury executives in banks explained that with the increasing rates in fixed income securities and government securities which are near-zero risk, banks would rather channel their funds to those areas rather than private businesses, though they still lend to secured and profitable businesses at new interest rates.

They also explained that the financial system does not have the luxury of liquidity to go round all the prospective borrowers given the current monetary policy regime which has been tightening liquidity in recent weeks.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/tightened-liquidity-banks-pushes-interest-rates/

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Leave a Reply

Previous Story

Tourism Can Boost Nigeria’s Economy—Minister

Next Story

Aero Contractors May Sack Workers As Financial Mess Worsens

Latest from Economy

Don't Miss