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The SA Reserve Bank (SARB) has cut the repo rate by 50 basis points to five percent, governor Gill Marcus said on Thursday.

The prime rate would decline to 8.5%.

“While it is recognised that such a move on its own will not overcome the challenges facing the economy, it is felt that it can help alleviate some of the pressures faced by some sectors,” Marcus said in Pretoria.

The interest rate cut follows nine consecutive Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings where the repo rate remained unchanged at 5.5%, after it was reduced by 650 basis points between mid-2008 and November 2010.

The SARB determines the interest rate based on its mandate to keep inflation within a target of between three and six percent.   Year-on-year consumer price inflation was 5.5% for June while producer price inflation was 6.6% in May.

Marcus said domestic inflation was expected to remain within its target range until 2014.

“Inflation is expected to average 5.6% in 2012, and 5.1 percent in both 2013 and 2014.”  

Since the previous MPC meeting in May, the global economy was showing more signs of a generalised slowdown.

Marcus said there had been no meaningful progress in resolving the Eurozone crisis, the US economic outlook had deteriorated, and emerging markets including China, India and Brazil, were feeling the spill-over effects.

South Africa’s economic growth was under threat by these global developments and deteriorating domestic business and consumer confidence.

“The negative spill-over effects to South Africa are likely to intensify.” 

The SA Reserve Bank had revised South Africa’s economic growth forecast of 2.9% for 2012 down to 2.7%, and predicted growth of 3.8% in 2013.

Globally, rising inflation was not seen as an immediate threat.

“Global inflation continues to be benign given the slowing growth prospects and lower commodity prices.  

“One area of risk to the inflation outlook emanates from the higher grain prices in response to the continuing drought in the United States,” Marcus said.

However, the local inflation environment had improved somewhat.

Any risks of rising inflation from increasing food and energy prices could be offset to some extent by lower global commodity prices.

If the economy was to show a sustained increase in output, it would need a concerted and co-ordinated effort from both government and the private sector, Marcus said.

Since mid-2008, the interest rate had been at its lowest level in 30 years.

First National Bank FNB CEO Michael Jordaan urged consumers to use the opportunity provided by the rate cut to reduce their debt.

“I would not encourage consumers to take on new loans simply because the interest rate environment is benign.

“Economic conditions will remain tight through 2012 and consumers should be wary of new expenses.  

“South Africa’s primary trading markets in Europe, North America and China have shown signs of slowing demand,” said Jordaan.

Comments

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Sat May 25 22:31:15 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 20, 2012

tpaz

Amen.

Banks are making a lot of profits on us 3.5% points ......globally banks should be btn 0.5-2% points above the repo rate.

If your car or bond is fixed installment this would not affect you.



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Jul 20, 2012

CheeseBoy

@tpaz

you might not have seen my comment but I did suggest a couple days ago they might be forced to bring the rate down.

but you right banks are still making a killing from us.
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Jul 20, 2012

skhokho21

tpaz, who in this day & age fixes his/her interest rates with these banks, I agree these banks are
k i l l i n g us.
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Jul 20, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

will my interest rate on my fixed installent change as well im currently on 15%?
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Jul 20, 2012

MarryMeNow

BRA-MAFUTHA
it wont change, Fixed interest rate is generally over a two year period. Your 15% is favourable to the bank at this stage, but same thing can happen to you if interest rates go up to 20%. its a win or lose game, thats the risk you took. although i do not understand what kind of a person who would fix interest when rates have going down in the past 3 years.
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Jul 20, 2012

THEWHEELOFCHANGE

good and bad, In my opinion, a lower (not too low of course) rate suits a developing country like South Africa far better. The majority of people (not capital/money) in this country are borrowers and have sizeable amounts of debt. Debt that is usually accumulated until retirement which is then subtracted from people's pensions i.e. reducing the future purchasing power of the consumer.
the R50 that is coming to us, it will be taken away by the increase in petrol next month (petrol is increasing by 18 cents in August)
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Jul 20, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

MarryMeNow
BRA-MAFUTHA
it wont change, Fixed interest rate is generally over a two year period. Your 15% is favourable to the bank at this stage, but same thing can happen to you if interest rates go up to 20%. its a win or lose game, thats the risk you took. although i do not understand what kind of a person who would fix interest when rates have going down in the past 3 years.
*****************
Thanx for making it clear have to admit is defiantly a win or lose situation unfortunately in my case is lose; this bank are really milking our cash hard
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Jul 23, 2012

blego

MORE MONEY INTO MAJIMBOS POCKETS NOW WE WILL SPEND.
BUT PLEASE NOT ON STREET NIGHT GIRLS. BOMAGO.........
THEY ARE SMILING.
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