Krung Thai sees loan growth exceeding 7% target

Yet lender decided to focus on short-term loans amidst nation's continuing political uncertainties.

Krung Thai Bank, the country's second-largest commercial bank by assets, expects new loans this year to rise beyond its current target of 7%.

President Apisak Tantiworawong said overall economic trends were improving, boding well for new investment and loan demand.

KTB booked more than 30 billion baht ($927.36 million) in new loans for the first two months of the year, exceeding its targets.

Mr Apisak said the bank would likely revise upward its growth target for the year from 7% now.

But the bank plans to focus on short-term loans in light of current political uncertainties and the Map Ta Phut impasse to help reduce potential risk.

Still, Mr Apisak said market liquidity remained plentiful, with 1.8 trillion baht ($55.64 billion) in excess liquidity in the money markets thanks to capital inflows.

View the full story in Bangkok Post.