G H Bank to propose interest rate subsidy for homebuyers to next finance minister

The government may need to provide a one percentage point interest rate subsidy, paid directly to homebuyers, he said. Many customers of the bank have been hit hard by the virus fallout. Many of them were laid off or their income decreased, especially those working in airlines and related tourism industries.
The mortgage rate is currently at about 6 per cent. The government could offer a one percentage point in financial relief for homebuyers, limiting the aid to homes priced at not more than Bt3 million, the source suggested.
Property developers, especially those involved in condominium residential projects, had earlier asked the government to increase the ownership limit for foreigners eligible to possess residential units from the current not exceeding 49 per cent of each project. Condominium developers are faced with oversupply problems.
Meanwhile, Chatchai Sirilai, president of Government Housing Bank, said that
despite the coronavirus outbreak, GHB's new mortgage lending is expected to meet the target of Bt210 billion for the year, up 3 per cent over last year.
As of October 1, new lending rose to Bt156.7 billion.
Customers are taking advantage of the low interest-rate environment and some groups are not much affected by the virus outbreak.
Mortgage lending next year is projected to be about Bt215.6 billion, and Bt222.1 billion in 2022, he said. Outstanding loans at the end of August were at Bt1.273 trillion. Accumulated lending is projected to be Bt1.374 trillion in 2021 and Bt1.444 trillion in 2022.
The state-owned bank will transform itself into digital banking services by driving up to 80 per cent of total transactions to the virtual platform by 2022.
The bank, the largest  mortgage lender, will also raise funds via a new batch of lottery-linked savings products at Bt 5,000 per unit.
Non-performing loans amount to Bt51.6 billion, accounting for 4 per cent of outstanding loans. 
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier said that he would appoint a new finance minister this month after incumbent Pridi Daochai resigned after less than a month in office.