BoB interest rate hikes: Who gains and who loses?
Friday, July 15, 2022 | 350 Views |
Tough times: Interest rate hikes make loan repayments costlier PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
In April, the BoB increased the newly introduced Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) by 51 basis points (0.51%) from 1.14% to 1.65%.
The latest increase is 50 basis points (0.5%) and takes the MoPR to 2.15%. The MoPR is the rate at which BoB lends money to commercial banks. It affects the prime lending rate which is the rate at which commercial banks charge consumers for borrowing money. The prime lending rate is higher than the MoPR to enable banks to cover their basic profit margin.
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...