Tunisia-After one month,banks fail to respond to President’s call to cut interest rates
The reduction that will profit some categories of customers of banks and financial institutions allows, according to the President of the Republic, to decrease the financial charges of customers who suffer from the decline in their purchasing power and will support thenational economy.
On July 31, 2021, during a meeting with officials of the Tunisian Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (APTBEF), the President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, asked the leaders of the sector to make supplementary effortsto reduce interest rate margins and bank commissions and other charges.
The head of state further underscored the significance of working together in a responsible manner by lending a hand, in these difficult times, to the underprivileged in order to guarantee the dignity of all citizens.
Nonetheless, a month has passed since the President’s appeal to the APTBEF to consider reducing interest margins and bank fees, which range from 12% to 20%, but this appeal has gone unanswered.
Many observers hope that the financial sector will grow its pricing terms and interest rate margins, in order to support individuals, professionals and businesses while releasing rescheduling and cash loans.