Morocco Experiences Slowdown in Growth of Bank Loans

A general view of the Central Bank of Morocco in Rabat. Reuters
A general view of the Central Bank of Morocco in Rabat. Reuters
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Morocco Experiences Slowdown in Growth of Bank Loans

A general view of the Central Bank of Morocco in Rabat. Reuters
A general view of the Central Bank of Morocco in Rabat. Reuters

Bank lending showed year-on-year growth of 4.5 percent in December 2020 compared to 5.2 percent in November 2020, with an increase in loans to the non-financial sector of 3.9 percent, according to Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM).

“This change reflects the slowdown in the growth of loans to private non-financial corporations from six percent to 4.7 percent and to public non-financial corporations at 0.5 percent, following a +4.4 percent compared to the previous month, BAM explained in its memo on key indicators of monetary statistics for December 2020.

It further highlighted the acceleration in the growth of loans to households from 2.7 percent to 3.4 percent.

The distribution of loans granted to non-financial sector according to the economic purpose indicates a continuous decline in consumer loans from 3.3 percent to 4.2 percent, an acceleration in the growth of loans to real estate by 2.1 percent to 2.5 percent and a decrease in equipment loans of three percent after +1.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the monetary aggregate (M3), which represents the money supply, recorded an annual growth of 8.5 percent in December 2020 compared to 7.7 percent in November 2020, BAM noted in its latest monetary statistics.

This development reflects the increase in the growth of demand deposits at banks to 10.6 percent, the further decrease in term accounts from 12.9 percent to 9.6 percent and the deceleration in the growth of currency in circulation from 20.6 percent to 20.1 percent.

Year-on-year, the M3 increased in December by 2.7 percent to amount to1,486.8 billion dirhams, mainly reflecting the four percent increase in sight deposits with banks and 1.7 percent in accounts term, BAM said.

On the other hand, the evolution of M3 is mainly attributable to the increase in bank credit of 2.1 percent and that of official reserve assets of 9.9 percent, the bank noted.



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.