July 31: The Confederation of Commercial Banks and Financial Institutions Nepal (CBFIN) has called for changes in the monetary policy to support the banking and financial sector.

Issuing a press statement, CBFIN has demanded a reduction in the risk weightage of large loans and the elimination of the practice of counting short-term deposits as term deposits.

CBFIN believes that the current system inadvertently treats savings deposits as term deposits, which results in increased costs for banks and financial institutions.

This, in turn, hampers the expansion of long-term loans, and CBFIN has requested the removal of this system to promote more accessible credit.

CBFIN has expressed its support for reducing the risk burden on small loans, aiming to facilitate credit access for domestic small and medium industries and boost sustainable economic activities.

However, they objected to the imposition of service fees for loan investments, stating that while providing credit to the productive sector at a 2 percent premium is a positive move, additional fees for banks are not appropriate.

The confederation has urged the gradual conversion of founder/promoter shares into ordinary shares in compliance with the Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA).

 Additionally, CBFIN has called for flexibility in meeting the target of the current financial year, as banks and financial institutions may find it challenging to cope with increasing staff and operating expenses with a credit expansion of only 3.5 percent.

To achieve the target of an 11.5 percent loan expansion, CBFIN emphasized the need for flexibility in terms of capital adequacy, risk management, and sectoral limits.

Regarding digital banking licenses, CBFIN requested that no further licenses be issued since banks already provide digital services. The issuance of such licenses has led to a trend of non-payment of interest, and CBFIN believes that banks' existing digital services are sufficient.

 CBFIN welcomed the monetary policy system's aim to amend the law to control chaotic activities of banks and financial institutions.