PETALING JAYA: The RM1bil set aside by the banks to waive the interest and profit charged on the loans of the bottom 50% (B50) segment is expected to have a minimal impact on the banking industry.
Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee told StarBiz that the impact, which would likely be seen in the first quarter of 2022, would be manageable.
“Nevertheless, the banks’ margins are expected to improve next year as the interest rate could increase.
“Perhaps, we could see a hike in the overnight policy rate in the first half of 2021,” he said.
In collaboration with the Counselling and Credit Management Agency (AKPK), the Malaysian banking industry said in a joint statement yesterday that it will collectively help the eligible B50 customers in alleviating their financial difficulties.
Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee told StarBiz that the impact, which would likely be seen in the first quarter of 2022, would be manageable. “Nevertheless, the banks’ margins are expected to improve next year as the interest rate could increase.
Via the co-created RM1bil scheme called the Financial Management and Resilience Programme (Urus), customers will have either the option of an interest or profit waiver for three months commencing from the date of onboarding the scheme or a three-month interest or profit waiver with reduced instalments for a period of up to 24 months in total.
“During this period, customers with unsecured personal loans or financing and credit cards may also benefit from reduced interest and profit rates to help alleviate their financial burden,” said the banks.
The joint statement was issued by the Association of Banks in Malaysia, the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia and the Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia.
The Urus scheme is open to individual customers on application who are under an existing repayment assistance programme as at Sept 30, 2021.
Customers must be from the B50 income segment with a gross household income of RM5,880 or lower and have experienced either loss of employment or at least 50% reduction in income.
Additionally, the customers’ loan or financing must be performing and not in arrears exceeding 90 days as at the date of their application.
The banks also said that AKPK will help to monitor the financial plan throughout the programme and review the plan with the bank when the financial circumstances of the customer improve.
These services are provided to the customer for free.
Individual customers who fulfill the criteria can apply for Urus through one of their banks starting from Nov 15, 2021, until Jan 31, 2022.
“As the economy is gradually opening up and recovering, we expect businesses to recover and this will result in higher employment and therefore income.
“While time is required for the full impact of recovery to take place, banks remain committed to provide assistance to all affected customers.
“Customers who do not satisfy the criteria for Urus are advised to contact their respective banks to discuss other financial repayment options that suit their own individual financial circumstances,” according to the banks.