PRI suggests stopping SOBs lending operations

Executive Director of Policy Research Institute (PRI) Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Sunday suggested the government to stop lending operations of state-owned banks (SOBs) considering smooth operation of those banks in the coming days without incurring losses. “…stop lending operation of state banks. Let them mobilise deposits but not lend,” he told a post-budget discussion in the city. The economist said the state-owned banks can lend the deposited money to inter-bank money market and other banks can borrow from that channel (interbank). Dr Mansur said if the state-banks turn deposit-taking banks, the government will not suffer losses, according to a news agency.