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Banks provide credit to businesses. They charge an interest rate comprising of the cost of funds (i.e. the interest that they pay to deposits) and the credit spread (i.e. the additional fee to cover the risk of default by the borrowers, expenses and profit).
In a competitive environment, the credit spread narrows and banks make a modest profit. Under volatile market conditions, the credit spread can increase sharply as the banks take advantage to increase their profit margins.
Some banks take advantage of the market volatility to recall loans and increase the interest sharply. The borrower has no recourse, but to pay the high interest rate, as this is a commercial term.
The banking industry is able to make huge profit at the expense of the business and consumer sectors. Some lawmakers have described the practice as predatory or usurious.
During an economic crisis, the Government has to step in and guarantee the credit for small businesses, as the banks are not prepared to take the risk. Some people refer to this practice as "lend you an umbrella during the sunny days and take it back when it rains".
Is there a better way to provide credit for businesses, rather than rely on the banking industry, especially if the banks do not have a social conscience and exploit the situation to make huge profits? Read more...[caption id="attachment_3520" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Photo by footloosiety"][/caption]
Banks provide credit to businesses. They charge an interest rate comprising of the cost of funds (i.e. the interest that they pay to deposits) and the credit spread (i.e. the additional fee to cover the risk of default by the borrowers, expenses and profit).
In a competitive environment, the credit spread narrows and banks make a modest profit. Under volatile market conditions, the credit spread can increase sharply as the banks take advantage to increase their profit margins.
Some banks take advantage of the market volatility to recall loans and increase the interest sharply. The borrower has no recourse, but to pay the high interest rate, as this is a commercial term.
The banking industry is able to make huge profit at the expense of the business and consumer sectors. Some lawmakers have described the practice as predatory or usurious.
During an economic crisis, the Government has to step in and guarantee the credit for small businesses, as the banks are not prepared to take the risk. Some people refer to this practice as "lend you an umbrella during the sunny days and take it back when it rains".
Is there a better way to provide credit for businesses, rather than rely on the banking industry, especially if the banks do not have a social conscience and exploit the situation to make huge profits? Read more...
[/caption]
Banks provide credit to businesses. They charge an interest rate comprising of the cost of funds (i.e. the interest that they pay to deposits) and the credit spread (i.e. the additional fee to cover the risk of default by the borrowers, expenses and profit).
In a competitive environment, the credit spread narrows and banks make a modest profit. Under volatile market conditions, the credit spread can increase sharply as the banks take advantage to increase their profit margins.
Some banks take advantage of the market volatility to recall loans and increase the interest sharply. The borrower has no recourse, but to pay the high interest rate, as this is a commercial term.
The banking industry is able to make huge profit at the expense of the business and consumer sectors. Some lawmakers have described the practice as predatory or usurious.
During an economic crisis, the Government has to step in and guarantee the credit for small businesses, as the banks are not prepared to take the risk. Some people refer to this practice as "lend you an umbrella during the sunny days and take it back when it rains".
Is there a better way to provide credit for businesses, rather than rely on the banking industry, especially if the banks do not have a social conscience and exploit the situation to make huge profits? Read more...
