The Cathford Group Credit Inc Tokyo Loan Review Tips: Digital poverty continues to hold back global growth and development

Information and knowledge are essential elements of poverty alleviation strategies, and ICTs offer the potential of easy access to huge amounts of information useful for the poor wherein it can transform the economy and the society.

However, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report 2015, the world’s developing and emerging economies are failing to make use of the capabilities of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to build social and economic transformation and catch up with more advanced nations.

The Networked Readiness Index (NRI) identifies the potential of countries to leveraging ICT, by evaluating the overall political and business environment, the level of ICT readiness and usage of ICT among the population, businesses and government, including the overall impacts of ICTs on the economy and society in general.

The 2015 results, which include 143 economies, confirm the dominance of advanced economies and the persistence of the multiple-faceted digital divides not only across but also within economies. They reveal the gap between the best and worst performing economies is widening. Those in top 10 percent have seen twice the level of improvement since 2012 as those in the bottom 10 percent.

This shows the degree of the challenge facing developing and emerging nations as they seek to develop the infrastructure, institutions and skills needed to obtain the full benefits of ICTs, as only 39 percent of the global population enjoys access to the internet even though that more than half now owns a mobile phone.

The NRI ranks Singapore as the top country in the world when it comes to utilizing ICTs for social and economic impact wherein it replaces Finland, which had been number one since 2013. The other Asian country that also made it to the top 10 was Japan, which climbs to the 10th position after being in the 16th position last year.

Taking up the third place behind Finland is Sweden, while the highest-placed Group of 7 (G7) economy is the United States which is 7th place, followed by the United Kingdom in the 8th place. The world’s fourth largest econoy, Germany, ranks down to 13th place.

The Russian Federation is the highest-placed BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nation, climbing nine places in 2015 to 41st. It is joined in the top half of the ranking by China, which continues to be at 62. All other members of the nation have dropped their rankings, with South Africa which ranks in the 75th place (down five), followed by Brazil (84th, down fifteen) and India (89th, down six).

Report says that other countries that have improved their NRI ranking over the last decade or so are now facing stagnation or regression. This is partly down to persisting divides within countries between rural and urban areas and around income groups, which is causing large portions of the population being left out of the digital economy.

Given the persistent pace of technological development, the digital divide across nations is increasing and raising great concern because less developed nations are at risk of being left further behind and definite actions are needed immediately to deal with this.

It is expected with high-income economies to occupy the top 30 places. The report identifies a number of countries that have made significant improvements, both in terms of their index score and ranking such as Armenia (58th) and Georgia (60th), which are among the most improved nations since 2012. Outside of the Caucasus, the UAE (23rd), El Salvador (80th), Macedonia FYR (47th), Mauritius (45th) and Latvia (33rd) all improved notably during the same period.

Countries like Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda are being witnessed with early-stage improvements. They have all liberalized their ICT markets, while Kenya and Tanzania are starting to see the benefits of similar reforms.

The report also notes that government leadership in the creation of a good regulatory and business environment with competitive ICT markets is an important requirement for all countries. However, while government action is necessary to address digital divides, efforts must also be made to motivate the people to engage in the digital economy.

With the theme of “ICTs for Inclusive Growth”, the 2015 edition of the report provides solutions fromleading experts and practitioners to reduce digital poverty and make the ICT revolution a global reality.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. is an online personal loan lender centrally located in downtown Chicago.We are a subsidiary of Cash America International, Inc., a NYSE-listed firm (CSH), which allows us the facility, ability and resources to achieve our vision and improve our product offerings. But within The Cathford Group Credit Inc. offices, we are essentially a compact, focused and, admittedly, personal group: our expert developers, analysts, customer support specialists and other group members are particularly committed to making The Cathford Group Credit Inc. the best option for our customers’ needs.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc Tokyo Loan Review Tips: Money management tips for newly married couples

Research shows that money issues are often cited as one of the top reasons of marital conflict.

One can be a spender and the other one, a saver. Differences over money management and spending patterns can make finance as one of the most challenging and probably intense topics for couples to discuss.

To handle marriage and money together, couples must understand each other’s opinions about finances. They should communicate regularly on how money is going to be spent.

Couples must also remember that they are partners on the same team, so to resolve financial problems they must agree to work cooperatively and honor each other’s ideas on how to move forward together.

It is a process of discovery, both individually and collectively, that allows them to live in harmony and happiness.

The Cathford Group recommends the following tips for a successful money management on married couples.

Write down goals

Problems arise between couples when they don’t talk to each other about individual or common goals and plans to achieve them. The Cathford Group suggests that couples must work together to prioritize financial goals and then identify the necessary steps to get there.

They can agree on goals that included staying to a budget each month and review them regularly.

Couples should also thoroughly discuss their long-term financial goals with each other, like having a retirement plan.

Design a budget

In order to achieve the shared financial goals of married couples, they must create a mutually-agreeable budget and they need to ensure that they are within that budget each month.

Couples have to really understand the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’. They should prioritize their basic needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter, but also sanitation, education, and healthcare; they should limit themselves on how much they’re allowed to spend every month to avoid debt.

Budgeting requires discipline and it can be a work in progress for couples. It may involve making adjustments and even some sacrifices especially over the first few months. However, they don’t need to worry because this scenario is normal on newly married couples.

Deal with debt together

Debt can be damaging to anyone, but it is a large threat to married couples because they are both responsible for paying the money back.

If one partner goes into the relationship with debt, spouses must talk about it together and figure out what are the best ways to pay for it.

Couples must agree to talk often about finances and discuss any debt together to avoid further problems down the road.

Don’t forget to save

Couples should consider the pros of creating a joint saving account if they are looking to develop a strong financial future with each other. Unpredictable circumstances might happen and costs are sometimes difficult to predict, so having a reserve fund is always a smart move for married couples.

They must plan together on how to save money as part of their financial management goal. Starting to save early will benefit the couples in the future.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc.: 5 Tips when applying for a personal loan

We’ve all been there — wanting to fund that overseas vacation since forever but can’t seem to find the money for it. Here’s where a personal loan comes in handy. Taking a personal loan could be a good option since it does not require you to have any collateral (e.g. car, house, etc.) that can be lost in case you default. But precisely because of that, lenders will charge a higher interest rate as a sort of guarantee.

To guide you in applying for a personal loan, here are five basic tips from The Cathford Group Credit Inc.:

Know your credit report. A primary factor in determining if your loan would get approved is your credit score. All lenders would definitely consult your credit report when deciding if you’re worthy to borrow, and how much interest rate to charge you if so. It will benefit you to get an idea of your credit standing so you should request for your credit report and make sure it has accurate and complete information. This will prevent all kinds of hassles in the future and will also let you know just how much interest rate you can be eligible for.

Decide how much you need. Your chances of getting approved are higher if you apply for as little amount as possible (based on your income). For instance, if the amount you ask is significantly lower than your current income, your lender might be willing to make considerations even with a low credit score.

Decide how much you can pay. You should decide early on just how much you can afford as monthly payment once the loan goes through. When you’ve calculated this, ask your lender for a payment plan where you can return the money in as little time as possible using the monthly budget you’ve determined.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. warns that you should be aware of repayment penalties that might be included in your deal. Some lenders could have this penalty fee for when a client pays off the loan early so make sure the loan you’re getting doesn’t have this.

Be honest. When a lender tells you they do not require papers as evidence of your actual income, there’s a big tendency for you to overreport. It is not only advisable to be honest in reporting your income, it is imperative. Claiming an income which you cannot support with valid documents is a sure-fire way to get your loan denied and has the potential to land you in jail. Always make sure you provide all the necessary documents, even when you think it won’t improve your chances of getting approved.

Don’t push your luck. Sometimes, people would apply for a personal loan that they’re aware they won’t get approved for — you know, just to try it. Aside from the fact that there’s a lot of effort involved betting on this wishful thinking, it can also make things difficult for you when you apply for a loan for real. See, every single time you apply for a loan, it gets included in your credit report. But things won’t get bad until an application gets rejected — your future lender will ask all kinds of questions regarding that and will make them see your credit standing in a bad light.

Tips on Handling Money Wisely from Cathford Group Credit Inc.

Remember that movie with Will Smith in it: The Pursuit of Happyness? Many of us can relate with the feeling the character had in being jobless and penniless. The sense of powerlessness can be totally depressing and energy-sucking. On the other hand, people who have no money shortage tend to be sociable, confident and level-headed, as opposed to commonly lonely, diffident and irritable “poor” souls. This holds true in many cases that we know, if not from personal experience, at least from our close relations.

The National Foundation for Credit Counselling in the US did a survey which showed that almost 80% of people claim they lose sleep from money problems over other issues such as their marriages, kids or job security. It seems, therefore, that those many sleepless people in our midst comprise a big bulk of unhappy families.

In general, we agree that genuine happiness does not come from our material possessions but in the intangible things that truly matter in life. However, being able to handle money wisely can add much to the level of contentment and confidence that people have in life.

Understanding the principles that govern the dynamics of money would greatly enhance our capacity to maintain a meaningful and comfortable life. But handling money requires knowing several powerful tips you can learn to develop, namely:

Unlearn bad habits through the power of self-forgiveness. Habits have a great influence on how we control money. Our early home-and-school training somehow predetermined our ability to make money work for us. Many keep falling into the financial trap of overspending or borrowing to purchase lavish stuff because we learned it from someone close to us or someone we know in the past. Once it becomes a hardened habit, we will find it hard to escape the vicious cycle.

What to do then? Forgiving yourself for your failures is the way suggested toward reversing this trend in your life. It is the proper way of dealing with the guilt that emanates from the bad habit. Sacrificing instead of always looking for the easy way out can break that cycle of emotional and financial slavery to your weaknesses.

Know how you behave with respect to money. Our early years, especially our formal education, molded the way we think and act in relation to other people and material things. Even the kind of music we listen to, sing or download online is controlled by the upbringing we had as well as the environment we lived or live in.

Getting to know how you handle money will help you understand yourself more. With a clearer appreciation of how money affects you, you can learn to control you tendencies in order to benefit you financially. Perhaps, some of your habits or patterns of spending and borrowing can be traced to past experiences which were stressful. Knowing that you now have enough experience to control your emotions, you can then adjust and create a better way of handling money so that you do not end up in the same rut as before.

Knowing yourself, as the wise Marcus Aurelius said, is the key to defeating the worst enemy you have, which is often no one else but yourself. “Conquering yourself” should be the better motto to keep from now on.

Seek professional help if nothing else works. A financial counsellor has the experience and ability to help you understand how your financial habits are influenced by your emotional conditions. Possessing positive money habits can be developed as we can see in some cultural environments which engender respect for and skill in handling money beginning in childhood.

Yet, the best way to develop good money habits is learning from those who have the experience of creating wealth – the business-people. They are the ones who spend their whole life making money and making it grow to benefit not just themselves but others. Perhaps, for most people, bad money habits may have come about not just from lack of discipline but lack of appreciation as to what money can do for themselves and to others. Spending money unwisely may have come about because it was earned without effort early in life. Going into business and “making hard money” may be the only way for many of us to finally appreciate the real value of money – not its worth but what is can do to better people’s lives.

The feeling of being debt-free can be truly liberating. But it comes with seriously considering the above steps toward setting yourself free of the negative and unproductive thoughts and attitudes we have with respect to money. In the end, happiness does not depend on having so much money; neither are your troubles due to the lack of money. We make ourselves happy by how we deal with what we have and what we do not have.

Cathford Group Credit Inc.: Prioritizing their Clients’ Needs is their Business

Cathford Group Credit Inc. prides itself of its successful run in the lending industry based on its efficient delivery of their clients’ actual needs and surpassing their expectations. Prioritizing the needs of their clients and delivering what they hope to attain from the company as well as in their investments is the goal of Cathford Group Credit Group Inc. For this reason, the company has chosen the heart of downtown Chicago as its base of operations in order to foster productive relationships, facilitate efficient solutions and allow open communications.

Cathford believes “the business of lending goes beyond providing loans” and shows it in their corporate culture. The company also relies on the truth of the maxim: “Knowledge is power”. The company, therefore, offers a wealth of tools and guidelines on how to establish credit, repay debts and retire with confidence and contentment.

Consider what some of their clients say about their company and service:

“Guys, you are wonderful. I love you! You are prompt, efficient and thorough and, most of all, fast! I salute you for being there for me when I needed you and for showing the true color of professionalism!

“I and my wife reside in a rundown country house with a leaking roof; so we had to raise money to repair it. So overjoyed that you helped us out. Thanks a lot.”

Many loan seekers indeed worry about their less-than-perfect credit standing. Cathford Group Credit Inc., however, looks at the bigger picture of an individual’s financial status — not only the credit score — in evaluating a loan application. This is for the purpose of making the loan application process convenient and more efficient.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. provides easy and quick loan access through online application. The steps involved to qualify are as follows:

– Submit your application after which Cathford provides a prompt decision on your eligibility and how much you are qualified to borrow.

– Cathford asks you (applicant) to verify the amount of loan and to accept the loan agreement conditions.

– Upon approval of application, Cathford deposits the money right in your bank account usually by the following business day. In some cases, additional vital info via phone or email will be required prior to final approval of your application.

– You repay the loan consistently in small amortizations. Cathford also allows convenient automatic repayment arrangements to keep you up-to-date on your dues.

Sounds easy and convenient? It is! Not many people are aware that there are companies that provide such facilities, particularly in acquiring personal loans. Considering the common perception of most people with regards to banks and other lending institutions which require tons of documents, time and effort to approve a loan, Cathford’s system is a refreshing alternative.

This is what happens in any enterprise where the priority is the clients’ needs and not those of the company. Everyone wins!

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Valuable Tips from Cathford Credit Inc.: The Painless Way to Purchase a House

In the past, communal ownership was the rule and private property was inexistent. The land was not even owned by any person or family but by the unseen spirits. In essence, people believed that the land owned the people. Because we have lost this valuable concept and taken to ourselves the exclusive ownership, control and transfer of real estate, so much has changed and even resulted into adverse use of land, strained relationships and even so much violent conflict which continues today.

Today, our laws provide rights and limitations to such rights to ownership of property. We have come a long way to establishing a sense of order and equity as far as owning and using real estate property is concerned. Hence, every person dreams of owning a house of one’s own. That is true even for those who are born into wealthy families and who have already so many houses. Being able to claim and to say to oneself or to others that your name is attached to a property is a powerful thing in almost any context.

But owning a house is not as simple as buying phone or a bicycle. Aside from the price of the property, you have to consider costs for repairs, taxes, unpaid utility bills, perhaps, and so many other pertinent things.

Cathford Group Credit Inc. has several tips to provide home buyers, especially first-timers. Here they are:

1. Get the help of a professional realtor which is the first and most important step of all for it will save the buyer a lot of trouble and unnecessary expense.

2. Get a loan pre-approval by consulting with a Cathford Group Credit Inc. realtor who can refer you to a loan expert or a bank who will furnish you a pre-approval letter. Based on your qualifications, you can get a pre-approval letter which will provide the realtor a way of assessing your options.

3. Be open and honest with your realtor and lender as they will need accurate information regarding your capacity to purchase the property. Filling out forms about your net worth or credit is a vital part of closing the deal and maintaining a viable agreement free of trouble.

4. Ask questions so that you are clear about what you are getting into and what is expected of you. This is the sure way of preventing problems that may arise later on since you did not fully understand or clarify some issues.

5. Let the realtor do the negotiations for you in order to prevent your emotions from encumbering the process. The realtor is there to work for your benefit by getting the best price for the property. Unless you know the job, it is better off letting experts do it.

6. Be aware of the time frame needed in closing the deal since a property may not be in the market for long. Make all communications with your loan adviser, your realtor and the seller as promptly as you could. When deciding whether to buy or not, make the decision within the period given to you or you might lose the opportunity to own the house.

Remember that all the pain and trouble of going through all these steps will be all worth the pleasant and triumphant feeling of entering your new property. Every climb up a mountain always gives that exhilarating experience; so, endure the trouble of reaching that final moment of success.

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Cathford Group Credit Inc.: A Different Way of Doing Business

Cathford Group Credit Inc. not only believes in being different for a good reason, it also strives to act in a way as to make people truly believe they can also be different and can overcome common and extraordinary obstacles often put in their way to achieving their precious dreams.

First and foremost, Cathford Group Credit Inc. Tokyo, Japan, believes that every person deserves access to credit in order to provide them opportunities to attain their potentials. Cathford’s simple mission as a company then is to “provide easy and convenient ways for consumers to obtain access to the credit they need”.

If anyone has a need for a personal loan from $1,000 to $10,000, Cathford Group Credit Inc. can provide it any time it is needed. And it can be done conveniently online from the company’s centrally-located office in downtown Chicago. Being a subsidiary of Cash America International, Inc., a NYSE-listed firm (CSH), Cathford has the facility, ability and resources to fulfill its mission and to enhance its delivery of their service to its clients.

Internally, Cathford Group Credit Inc. is a compact, focused and an unabashedly personal company, ready to deliver the best solutions to their clients. The company’s capable developers, customer support specialists and other members stand ready to satisfy clients’ needs to make the experience of acquiring their loan easy and convenient indeed.

Often loan applications are disregarded or disapproved due to a single criterion, parameter or number. Cathford has transcended this petty decision-making norm by developing a strong decision strategy which takes into account several factors and not just credit score to qualify a loan applicant as well as to customize the loan package to suit the borrower’s specific needs.

The simpler the process, the better for everyone concerned. And the less stress involved the better for everyone as well. These are the guiding principles for Cathford. Hence, it strives to offer simple, fast and unencumbered access to funds through online “no hidden fees” policy. The moment we see so many requirements and so many intricate conditions, a warning sign lights up telling us either something fishy is going on or some hidden agenda are present. Not for Cathford, the less complication and the more readily one gets what one needs, the better for the productivity of all concerned.

This may sound naïve and even unbelievable in today’s financial norm; but it has been that way for Cathford for years. Don’t take our word for it; find out for yourself and call Cathford Group Credit Inc. today.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc: Tips on buying foreclosed homes

RealtyTrace has released a new report last week saying that around 7 million US homeowners who lost their houses are now in a good position to buy again.

Short sales and foreclosures have increased exponentially 7 years ago after the so-called Great Recession and the years of financial crisis. Now, with the economy finally getting its momentum and employment rate increasing, homeowners who got foreclosures could have a good chance in the market again.

According to analysts from The Cathford Group Credit Inc., although the modest estimate of rebuilding a decent credit score  is 7 years, it is possible for  homeowners to recover from their foreclosures in as soon as 3 years. This is good news for owners who lost their properties during the financial crisis of 2007 as they should be able to qualify now for a new loan.

So if you’re one of those, here are a few tips to guide you in purchasing a foreclosed house:

Go online and search for REO (real estate owned by a bank) property listings in your chosen area. The REO tag means that the house has been foreclosed and that it is now put on the market by the lender.

A foreclosed house come “as is”, which means that the buyer will have to shoulder costs for any repairs on the house that might be involved. And there is very little room for negotiation so don’t keep your hopes up for any discount.

Secure a pre-approval letter from your lender even before you start making offers. Oftentimes, buyers would remember to engage a real estate broker first thing, and then forget the all important factor of how to get financing. Keep in mind that banks will almost always require proof of financial capability so this letter is essential — unless of course you’re paying in cash.

The letter should state just how much money you’re qualified to borrow depending on your income and credit score, as per the analysis of your lender. This has an added benefit of showing your real estate agent that you’re really serious about making a purchase — an important factor for the agent to choose who to prioritize among his several clients.

Check recent prices of comparable properties in the area of your choice.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. was able to determine a number of markets which are expected to have the most number of prospective buyers.  Areas like Las Vegas that are hit the most during the crisis will now have house prices significantly cheaper for average buyers to afford. But because it is expected that the majority of the market consists of the Baby Boomers and Generation X, areas like Minneapolis, Chicago or Florida will top the lists.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc Tokyo Loan Review Tips: Japan banks to bulk up India presence on improving ties

Faced with a shrinking economy and tepid loan demand at home, Japan’s largest banks are looking to bolster their presence in India, enthused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reform agenda and improving ties between the two countries.

While some European and US lenders are sitting on the fence after being bruised by the country’s sharp slowdown, Japanese banks are betting aggressively on Modi’s pledge to restart growth and attract foreign investment.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L), the biggest foreign player in India, said it remained watchful on the country after the slowest growth since the 1980s hit many of its corporate clients.

Financial Group Inc (8411.T) plan to grow their loan books through branch openings and offerings of new services such as corporate deposits, M&A financing and debt capital market advisory, bank executives said.

They see an opportunity to expand in a sector dominated by inefficient state-owned banks and where foreign lenders control only 6 percent of total banking assets. By contrast, foreign banks control nearly a third of banking assets in Indonesia and more than a fifth in Brazil. With Japan setting a target of doubling investments in India within five years and New Delhi scrambling to attract long-term investment to shore up its creaky infrastructure, Japanese banks are trying to move quickly.

“Our balance sheet is strong. We can absorb our lending exposure to our Indian clients… better than European, American banks,” Mizuho Bank India CEO Shinichiro Kashiwagi said.

India is the key focus market for Mizuho Bank in Asia, besides Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, he told Reuters.

In a sign India is willing to boost business and political ties with Japan, Modi visited Tokyo in his first major foreign visit after a landslide electoral victory in May.

Mizuho, which received approval for its fifth Indian branch in Gujarat days before Modi’s Tokyo visit, is hiring and will move its local headquarters in Mumbai to a bigger premises.

These bonds could be a cheap borrowing option for Indian companies. But Japanese buyers may be reluctant to buy paper issued by Indian companies, few of which are credit-worthy.

Furthermore, winning business in a market where foreign banks’ operations are tightly regulated could prove an uphill struggle, financial services consultants say.

Other risks include bad debts, a factor likely to keep Japanese banks focused on big companies, rather than smaller or medium-sized ones. A tenth of India’s total loans is considered non-performing or has been restructured.

MOMENTUM

Buoyed by Modi’s commitment to get rid of frequent power blackouts and bumpy roads, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, seeks to tap more project finance business, said Daisuke Inoue, a senior executive at the lender’s international banking unit.

Rival MUFG, with a 22 percent stake in Morgan Stanley (MS.N), plans to work closely with the U.S. bank to help finance an expected wave of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms.

For those transactions, MUFG will offer its balance sheet and Morgan Stanley its advisory services, said Taiju Hisai, India head of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the banking unit of MUFG.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc Tokyo Loan Review Tips: BoJ may extend deadline, expand loan schemes next week

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan may next week decide to expand two loan schemes aimed at encouraging commercial banks to lend more and extend them beyond their current March expiry date, sources familiar with the central bank’s thinking said.

Many BoJ officials feel that the programmes ought to be continued beyond March. But there is no consensus yet on details such as how long they should be extended for or by how much they should be increased, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

If the nine board members can reach agreement, the BOJ may announce a decision next week, the sources said.

If preparations take more time, the decision may be delayed until next month, they added.

“There seems to be decent demand among banks for the loans and if so, there is no point ending the programmes” when they expire in March, one of the sources said. Under its “quantitative and qualitative easing” programme, or QQE, the BoJ is buying government bonds and risky assets aggressively in a bid to double base money in the economy and achieve its 2 percent inflation target.

Aside from asset purchases, the BoJ has several loan programmes including one that aims to encourage banks to lend more to industries with growth potential.

Another scheme, introduced in 2012, offers cheap funds to banks that boost lending in general.

Both schemes offer banks loans for up to four years at a 0.1 percent interest rate and were expanded in February last year.

The balance of loans extended under the programmes exceeded 20 trillion yen ($171 billion) last year and reached nearly 25 trillion yen as of Jan. 10.

With the BoJ’s massive bond purchases nudging yields into negative territory and crowding out investors, many BoJ officials are reluctant to expand asset purchases under QQE any time soon.

But the central bank is set to cut its consumer inflation forecasts at next week’s rate review due to slumping oil prices and may come under pressure for not focusing more on the slowdown in inflation, some analysts say.

While expanding the loan schemes by definition won’t be tantamount to monetary easing, it will help the BoJ fend off such criticism, said Izuru Kato, chief economist at Totan Research.

“The BoJ doesn’t have many policy tools left so it may use the loan schemes to appear as if it’s doing something to address the slowdown in inflation,” he said.