Banks flouting BoG's credit guidelines

Banking institutions are failing to observe Bank of Ghana’s (BOG) credit bureau policy that ensures quick and informed lending decisions, reduction in non-performing loans and risk-based pricing of loans.

The phenomenon is leading to banks having to contend with high cost and bureaucratic process in recovering loans from defaulters due to insufficient information gathering and maintenance of data for the formation of credit histories.

Mr. Ernest Tetteh, Corporate Banking, Zenith Bank, told the GNA on Thursday in an interview to explain the incidence of default rate and its impact on banking business in Ghana.

He said the development of a credit bureau impacted on the overall economy of the country as it encouraged responsible borrowing and lending.

He added that it also allowed individuals and companies to easily access finance based on their past payment behaviour and provided opportunities for growth. “But many banks appear not to pay due diligence in observing the guidelines,” Mr. Tetteh said.

He added that the trend was partly responsible for high default rate in the banking sector in addition to bad attitudes among clients, diversion or misapplication of funds and delay in payment of contractors.

Offering explanation, Mr. Tetteh stated that many customers have the attitude of borrowing money for non-economic ventures or use the money to honour household responsibilities or for drinking and attending social gatherings which did not bring any return.

He added many borrowers were unable to pay back loans because they misapplied or diverted the money into certain areas without any business advice that ended up locking up the capital.

Mr. Tetteh noted that in some instances contractors engaged in huge amount of borrowing due to the nature of their work, but unfortunately some were not paid on time to enable them honour their loan responsibility at the right time.

He said in order to address the issue of default payment, banking institutions should pay due diligence to the credit bureau guidelines.

“They should also sufficiently motivate staff in charge of loan administration to avoid connivance with unscrupulous customers to abscond or provide incorrect data,” he added.