{
  "id": 14995098,
  "title": "Lower interest rates reaching universal bank borrowers faster than community and microfinance bank customers: CIB Ghana survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/lower-interest-rates-reaching-universal-bank-borrowers-faster-than",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T16:47:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/banking/lower-interest-rates-reaching-universal-bank-borrowers-faster-than-community-and-microfinance-bank-customers-cib-ghana-survey"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana) reveals that lower interest rates are being received by borrowers of universal banks in Ghana faster compared to those of community and microfinance banks, according to a presentation made at the third Post-Monetary Policy Committee (Post-MPC) Policy Seminar. The seminar, held at the CIB Ghana Auditorium and streamed online, gathered representatives from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ministry of Finance, banks, traders, and industry stakeholders to discuss monetary policy transmission, credit growth, and non-performing loans (NPLs). The Bank of Ghana's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided on September 24, 2026, to maintain the policy rate at 14.0 per cent. During the seminar, Dr. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, President of the CIB Ghana Governing Council, emphasized that monetary policy effects are transmitted throughout financial markets, lending conditions, businesses, and households. She highlighted that credit growth and credit quality must progress simultaneously, and that CIB Ghana believes in a banking sector that provides sufficient credit to productive sectors while maintaining robust risk management and responsible lending practices. The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson P. Asiama, mentioned that the transmission of interest rate changes to borrowers is not instantaneous and depends on various factors such as funding costs, credit risk, operating costs, and expected losses. The BoG's Pre-MPC survey, presented by CIB Ghana's CEO, Mr. Robert Dzato, indicated a strong willingness among banks to lend; however, the impact of monetary policy transmission varied across different market segments. Most universal banks surveyed reported lending rates between 10 to 15 per cent, while community banks had higher rates of 21 to 25 per cent, and microfinance banks reported rates around 31 to 40 per cent. Although most banks are optimistic about the wider economy, many expect inflation to increase in the coming months, a concern that was also discussed during the MPC meeting. Mr. Dzato noted that banks are confident about meeting the 10 per cent NPL target by the end of the year, but cautioned that faster credit growth needs to be balanced with stronger monitoring, recovery, and risk mitigation efforts.",
  "summary": "Lower rates are reaching universal bank borrowers faster than community and microfinance bank customers, a CIB Ghana survey presented after the MPC shows.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lower interest rates reach universal bank borrowers faster than community and microfinance banks.",
    "Monetary Policy Committee maintains policy rate at 14.0 percent on September 24, 2026.",
    "Credit growth and credit quality must progress simultaneously according to CIB Ghana."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}