TOT SPECTRUM PLAN APPROVED

TOT has searched for a strategic partner to launch fourth-generation cellular services on this band. 
So far 13 companies have picked up the terms of reference to bid to become TOT’s partner. Among them are Advanced Wireless Network, a subsidiary of Advanced Info Service; DTAC TriNet, a subsidiary of Total Access Communication; and TrueMove H Universal Communication and Real Move, both part of the True Corp group.

GH Bank launches mortgage schemes

The Government Housing Bank, whose mission is to help more Thais own homes, is launching the Bt20-billion Sabaijai and Bt5-billion housing loan schemes to reach this year’s new loan target of Bt178.22 billion.
Chatchai Sirilai, president of GH Bank, said people still had demand for residential units priced over Bt2.5 million.
The Sabaijai scheme will extend housing loans of no less than Bt2.5 million bearing the minimum retail rate minus 3.15 percentage points, equivalent to 3.60 per cent, for the first three years. 
The current MRR is 6.75 per cent.
The interest rate will be MRR minus 1 percentage point for welfare borrowers and MRR minus 0.50 percentage point for retail borrowers from the fourth year to maturity.
GH Bank also introduced a Bt5-billion housing-loan project that will extend loans of no less than Bt1.5 million, charging a fixed rate of 3.50 per cent for the first two years. 
The interest rate will be adjusted to 4.75 per cent from the third year and MRR minus 1 percentage point for welfare customers and MRR minus 0.50 percentage point for retail customers from the fourth year to maturity.
Both projects are parts of the Social Solution housing-loan package offering alternatives for middle-income earners and higher. 

PTTEP ‘AAA’ rating affirmed

Tris Rating has affirmed the company rating of PTT Exploration and Production and the ratings of PTTEP’s senior unsecured debentures at “AAA”. 
Tris has also affirmed the rating of “AA” to PTTEP’s subordinated capital debentures (hybrid). The outlook remains “stable”. 
The two notches below the corporate credit rating reflect the deferability and subordinated nature of the capital debentures. 
PTTEP’s ratings reflect the company’s leading position in the petroleum exploration and production (E&P) industry in Thailand, its strong financial profile and the support it receives as the E&P arm of the national oil and gas company. 
The ratings also take into consideration its ability to manage costs during the downcycle of petroleum prices, Tris said.

SINGAPORE EZ-PAY EXPANDED

The operator of EZ-Link, a system of contactless stored-value tickets for use on Singapore’s mass-transit system, is collaborating with DBS Bank to extend its EZ-Pay facility to DBS and POSB cardholders.
The expansion will enable wider access to the payment service, launched last August, by allowing more cardholders in Singapore to use EZ-Pay.
Holders of DBS or POSB credit and debit cards can visit EZ-Link to register for an EZ-Pay account, a company release said yesterday.
The service guarantees sufficient funds for electronic road pricing (ERP) charges at all times by enabling payments to be charged directly to the registered card. 
Customers will also be able to check records of ERP transactions by logging in to their EZ-Pay account or referring to their monthly card statement.
“The expansion of EZ-Pay for DBS and POSB cardholders further demonstrates the potential of account-based payment services in bringing about convenient and secured payments to motorists,” said Nicholas Lee, chief executive officer of EZ-Link. – The Straits Times