BBS turns to borrowing as loans outpace deposits
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 300 Views |
Mismatch: BBS’ loans exceeded customer deposits PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
The bank's loans-to-deposit ratio stood above 100%, indicating that the bank had maxed out its deposit on lending and now had to turn to external sources for funding of other loans. Whilst the bank demonstrated robust growth in its loan book and profitability metrics in 2024, it faced pressures in its cash reserves as it lent more than deposits and also registered a drop in its liquid assets nearing the prudential requirement set by Bank of Botswana.
The banks executive in a recently released 2024 annual report posted on the bourse revealed that they would turn to borrowing and diversifying their income streams in order to improve their liquidity and increase their loan to deposit ratio.
Whilst the project received mixed reactions from members of the public, the project is indeed a welcome development, which needs to be implemented as soon as possible. Many shared their opinion, with those against the project decrying that if implemented, it will kill the already struggling public transport industry.Many countries around the world have state-run public transport, and those who have travelled to such countries will give testimony...