Banks still liquid but under pressure to protect savings base from competitors. Krung Thai Bank is considering raising deposit and loan rates if other banks make a similar move, following a Bank of Thailand (BOT) decision yesterday to hike the policy rate by 50 basis points.

Egat stock only for individual investors

Banks have been told not to keep Egat Plc’s new shares for their own customers, to ensure transparency in the state enterprise’s IPO next month. “No shares will be reserved for preferred clients, in order to prevent possible accusations of favouritism,” Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said yesterday.

Malee squeezes 30% export growth out of juice boom

Malee Sampran Plc, Thailand’s largest producer of canned fruit and fruit juices, expects export growth of 30 per cent next year, due to higher demand for healthy foods.

IN BRIEF

COASTAL REAL ESTATE: Bt5 bn in Pattaya and Hua Hin properties put out for bid

STOCK EXCHANGE: Rate hike sends market tumbling

Central bank’s 50-basis-point increase adds to foreign investors 5-day sell-off

Central bank says cap on loan charges legal

The Bank of Thailand has a legitimate mandate to set a cap on total charges for personal loans – currently at 28 per cent, a central bank source said yesterday.

Tisco Bank sees no lending slowdown

Tisco Bank Plc expects lending growth of 15 per cent next year, which is in line with this year’s growth rate.

BIZNEWS ROUND-UP

- Leaders of a protest against the listing of an alcohol producer said they would delay a demonstration scheduled for next Tuesday, after the Securities and Exchange Commission said it would gather information about the issue before making a decision.