Thai banks’ bad loans at 2.98% of lending at end-December

BANGKOK – Thai banks’ non-performing loans slightly dropped to 2.98% of total lending at the end of December from 3.14% as the end of September, helped by measures to support debtors, the central bank said on Monday.

The banking system remained strong with high levels of capital buffers, provisions and liquidity, the Bank of Thailand said in a statement. Loans grew 6.5% last year.

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Editing by Martin Petty)