gradually pull back on their quantitative easing programs. Interest rates will rise, affecting Thailand’s financial environment although at the same time the Thai economy is still likely to expand

timing of exit from quantitative easing policy by many central banks, such as the European Central Bank’s plan to cut its monthly bond-buying program. These developments may influence movements of

, whereas the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan may opt for tapering of their quantitative easing stance. Against this backdrop, interest rates in several countries are likely to be on an upward

of utility services in Q1/2018 compared with those in the same period of 2017, (while utility service income is stable), are attributable to the road and water system repairing cost. ▪ An increasing

, which helped support investors’ confidence. This is despite the fact that this factor, coupled with the stable policy rate, resulted in increased volatility in money and capital markets as well as foreign

quarter, net interest income advanced over-quarter and over-year. Likewise, net interest margin (NIM) was stable from the previous quarter. This reflected commercial banks’ attempts to manage funding cost

and interest rates which are in line with customers’ acceptable risk appetite. Banks are also allowed to use other qualitative and quantitative factors which reflect customers’ potential and ability to

for tapering or ending their quantitative easing stance at the end of the third quarter of 2018. Given this, several emerging economies including those in Asia may be challenged by fluctuating

from interest rate reduction and a slowdown in loan in the banking system. Meanwhile, net fees and service income was stable, whereas fees from insurance, mutual fund and investment banking services

balance sheet, whereas the European Central Bank was gradually tapering its quantitative easing stance through reduced monthly asset purchases. Likewise, several other central banks signaled steps to be