Consumer spending via credit cards has shown signs of growth, with the total outstanding credit card debt in licensed commercial banks rising by nearly one billion rupees in August, reflecting a broader surge in private sector credit during the same month. According to the latest data for August 2024, outstanding credit card debt increased by
First Capital (FC) anticipates that bank lending rates will remain within the 9-11% range for the rest of 2024 and rise slightly to 10-12% by mid-2025. This projection comes amidst slow economic conditions, weak demand for credit, and a lag in the reduction of new loan rates. The Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR) dropped
Sri Lanka’s private sector credit expanded by Rs. 60 billion in July 2024, following a Rs. 74 billion rise in June, according to official data. Meanwhile, credit to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) decreased during the same period. In July, banks extended Rs. 82.7 billion in loans to the government, with much of this being interest roll-overs,
Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves experienced a marginal decline, reaching $5.649 billion in July 2024, down from $5.654 billion in June, according to official data. In June, the central bank sold approximately $57 million in the interbank market following a surge in liquidity from strong dollar purchases and an increase in private credit. Data for
Sri Lanka’s private sector credit saw a notable expansion of 146 billion rupees during the first half of 2024, according to official data. This growth contrasts with a reduction in credit extended to the government, although government credit continued to surpass private sector lending. In the six months leading up to June 2024, commercial bank