Interest rate changes could boost some banks with slow loan growth

Singapore

THE EASING in lending growth in Singapore last year mirrors that of banks in Asia-Pacific, but some banks could benefit from changes in interest rates ahead, said broker reports.

In Singapore, bank lending in December grew at 5.9 per cent from a year ago - the slowest pace since March 2010. Similarly, Thai banks registered loan demand at its weakest in four years - with growth at 5 per cent from a year ago - given the political tensions, said Citi Investment Research in a report this week.