East Africa: Govts to Cushion Depositors Against Collapsed Banks

East African governments are working on increasing compensation for victims of collapsed banks as part of efforts to boost depositor confidence in the banking industry, which has had incidences of bank failures in the past five years.

Regional member states are working towards harmonising rules and regulations for dealing with troubled banks as part of measures to enhance the stability of the region's banking sector.

In 2016, the EAC member states through the Monetary Affairs Committee resolved to jointly put in place measures to deal with troubled banks.

PROTECT DEPOSITORS

Recently, Kenya's Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) increased the insurance coverage for depositors to Ksh500,000 ($5,000) from Ksh100,000 ($1000), which had been in force for three decades.

The increase came after the KDIC jointly with the US-Treasury carried out a study in 2016 on the possibility of reviewing the insured deposits to boost confidence in the banking sector.

Last month, Ugandan Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announced plans to increase the deposit insurance limit to Ush10 million ($2,700) from Ush3 million ($809) before the end of this year.

"The government is committed to ensuring that the banking sector remains safe and sound. The public is encouraged to deposit their savings in the formal banking sector," said Mr Kasaija.

In Tanzania, the Deposit Insurance Board has increased the amount of protected deposits from Tsh500,000 ($215) to Tsh1,500,000 ($646), while the Deposit Guarantee Fund of Rwanda protects eligible deposits up to Rwf500,000 ($535) per depositor per member bank and microfinance institution... Read more on All Africa

Source: All Africa