SBP asks banks to shun discriminating practices

[LRE]

SBP asks banks to shun discriminating practices

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday directed all banks/ development financial institutions (DFIs) to discontinue practices of discrimination on the basis of specific occupation, trade, region, sex, other similar reasons etc and issue them credit cards, car loans and other consumer facilities. Through a circular, the SBP said, “it has been brought to SBP notice that Banks / DFIs sometimes discriminate amongst customers and occasionally turn down requests for credit cards, car loans or other consumer facilities merely on the basis of specific profession, class and/or group of citizens e.g. lawyers, politicians, security officials and law enforcement agencies etc.” “This is also contrary to the earlier advice of the Pakistan Banks’ Association to its members to desist from debarring the customers on the basis of specific occupation, trade, region, sex, ethnicity etc.” The circular said, “banks/DFIs are, therefore, advised to discontinue such practices of discrimination on the basis of specific occupation, trade, region, sex, other similar reasons etc. and ensure compliance of these instructions in letter and spirit. The circular further clarified that banks/ DFIs may issue credit cards to members of their Board of Directors on normal terms and conditions. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2008_pg5_6