KBank sets loan target

IN Brief

KBank sets loan target

PROPERTY :Kasikornbank has set a target to release 30 billion baht in new housing loans this year, helped by an attractive package offering 1.99% annual interest for the first three months to customers until the end of March.

The bank anticipated that its outstanding home loans this year will top 100 billion baht, compared with 90 billion baht last year.

Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, a senior vice president said that after the three-month period, the bank had six packages with fixed interest per year varying from 3.99% to MLR minus 0.65%. Its current MLR is 6.85% and the longest repayment period is 30 years.

Buyers of houses with selling prices below 10 million baht can obtain a maximum loan of 80% of the price.

-

Surcharge may rise again

AVIATION :Thai Airways International plans to raise fuel surcharges again within two months on international routes as jet-fuel prices continue to rise, according to president Apinan Sumanaseni.

The national carrier increased the surcharge twice last year, including an 8% rise for overseas flights last month.

"The last increase could cope with only 50% of our rising costs," said Mr Apinan.

Jet fuel rose 3% to $113.65 a barrel in Singapore trading on Thursday, the biggest gain since Nov 1.

THAI has forecast sales of 230 billion baht in the fiscal year ending Sept 30, from 192 billion a year earlier, as it carries more passengers. BLOOMBERG

-

Reserves up $2.1bn

FINANCIAL DATA :International reserves totalled $87.6 billion as of Dec 28, compared with $85.5 billion the week before, the Bank of Thailand said yesterday.

The net forward position was $19.1 billion as of Dec 28, compared with $19 billion the week before. Net claims on government were 153.6 billion baht, compared with 164.5 billion the week before. Net policy credits were -1,522.7 billion baht, compared with -1,532.4 billion. Reserve money was 933.6 billion baht, compared with 879.4 billion. 14-day bills yield 3.15%

DEBT MARKET :The Bank of Thailand yesterday auctioned 40 billion baht worth of 14-day bills for an average yield of 3.15865% with bid coverage of 1.35 times.