1.) Credit Channel
The establishment of BIBFs in 1993 has enhanced the access to overseas which helps bring down the cost of funds. In line with this, bank credits (including BIBF) grew at a rapid rate, averaging 23 percent, in the period 1993-96. In relation to this, commercial banks and finance companies have played a significant role in financing the private sector, with the share of private credits financed by these two types of financial institutions accounting for around 89.0 percent of the total credits. In response to the rapid credit growth, the monetary authorities launched a number of policy measures in 1996, aiming at slowing down the credit expansion consistent with the objective of stable economic growth. Examples of the measures in this regard includes the requirement from BIBFs from US$0.5 million to US$2.0 million.
However, under a more liberalization and developed financial system, the private sector has greater direct access to foreign financing, enabling them to bypass any domestic financial intermediary, thus eroding the effectiveness of monetary policy conduct through the credit channel.