Singapore Regulator, Banks in Talks to Extend Debt Relief

[kobayashiGT]

Singapore Regulator, Banks in Talks to Extend Debt Relief

source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-28/singapore-regulator-banks-in-talks-to-extend-debt-relief-scheme

Singapore’s central bank is in talks with lenders about extending the nation’s debt moratorium program beyond Dec. 31 to provide extra relief for borrowers hit by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

One of the key measures being discussed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and local banks is the possibility of lengthening the debt relief program, with industries that have been impacted most by the crisis potentially having aid extended by as many as six months, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are confidential.

A tiered approach is being considered, so relief is targeted to those needing the most help, one of the people said. Details of the plan and what types of borrowers will be covered under an extension are still being finalized, they said.

An extension to the debt moratorium would help mitigate the so-called “cliff effect” on consumers and businesses once relief measures end. Authorities are using both fiscal and monetary tools to provide support against what may be a record recession that came with the pandemic.

The government introduced additional support measures of S$8 billion ($5.8 billion) last month, bringing Singapore’s total pledged pandemic aid to more than S$100 billion. They extend to March most wage subsidies that would have expired in August, and are tapered depending on how impacted different sectors are. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has warned, however, that the measures won’t be indefinite as they draw heavily on reserves and risk propping up nonviable businesses.

Income Loss

Under MAS’s current measures announced in March, small and medium-sized firms can opt to postpone principal payments on their secured term loans until the end of the year. Consumers can defer both principal and interest payments on residential mortgages. Individuals suffering a loss of income can ask for a lower interest rate on unsecured credit.

The proposed extension “may not fully mitigate the cliff effect, but it provides more time to banks to restructure their problem loans,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Rena Kwok said. Such a move may push the bulk of non-performing loan formation to next year, with credit losses to peak by the end of 2021 and begin returning to normal the following year, she said.

Shares of DBS rose 1.2% at 4:35 p.m. in Singapore on Monday, paring this year’s decline to 22%. OCBC was trading 0.8% higher and UOB was up 1.1%.

 

[ToyotaShuttle]

How about for individuals? Hope can defer some more.

[Yewheng]

This cannot go on forever.. Hope it is only temporarily.. Coz keep delaying end of the day still need to pay the loan eventually right? 

[ToyotaShuttle]

37 minutes ago, Yewheng said:

This cannot go on forever.. Hope it is only temporarily.. Coz keep delaying end of the day still need to pay the loan eventually right? 

yes, of course need to repay the loan. 

Otherwise banks will take a loss.

[Ho2786]

kicking the can down the road.

O$P$ .

sooner or later have to pay.

cant escape judgement day.

[Vegas]

now the positive one will say, pay the bank 3% interest nvm..

use the $ hoot stock market!

[ToyotaShuttle]

42 minutes ago, Vegas said:

now the positive one will say, pay the bank 3% interest nvm..

use the $ hoot stock market!

bank interest rate is now 0.6%-1.6%.

If you are paying 3%, faster go refinance.

Edited September 28, 2020 by ToyotaShuttle

[SGCM928]

Snowflake will not crush people to death but a snowball will.

Allowing deferment in loan repayment is akin to snowballing, not a wise move.

[ToyotaShuttle]

2 hours ago, SGCM928 said:

Snowflake will not crush people to death but a snowball will.

Allowing deferment in loan repayment is akin to snowballing, not a wise move.

I think otherwise. The actual interest rates are low and the additional payments are spread across 30 years or whatever the remainder of your loan is.

I maintain that deferment is free money and free cashflow for everyone and they should take it.

[SGCM928]

On 9/29/2020 at 10:29 AM, ToyotaShuttle said:

I think otherwise. The actual interest rates are low and the additional payments are spread across 30 years or whatever the remainder of your loan is.

I maintain that deferment is free money and free cashflow for everyone and they should take it.

I don't see it that way. Lower interest rate is just a smoke screen, coupled with the rolling principle, it will be a burden for many in the near future. 

And the law does not indicate the repayment period for the deferred sum, and if the amount need to be paid in the next 1 year, the monthly loan payment for business owner will almost be double. Can the owner cope? 

[Throttle2]

Dont understand, Singaporeans all very rich, who needs debt relief, wah lau!

[Throttle2]

@inlinesix  not quite 100% commercial decision leh....

[Sdf4786k]

Thankfully, they did not talk about car loans.

[Throttle2]

44 minutes ago, Sdf4786k said:

Thankfully, they did not talk about car loans.

If car loans also support, then we really welfare state already......