BBA Blames The Weather For Savings/Lending Imbalance

The British Bankers' Association (BBA) reports that personal deposits rose by 6.2% over the year to January. However, net mortgage borrowing from the banks grew by a mere 0.2% in the year to January.

The reason for such an imbalance (despite pressure from the government for the banks to lend more)?

The BBA blame the weather!

 

BBA statistics director, David Dooks said:

“January’s severe weather impacted adversely on what was already a subdued picture of borrowing demand from households and businesses. While general economic growth stalls, low consumer and business confidence generates a natural tendency to restrain borrowing appetite, repay borrowing where possible and to build up cash and savings as a buffer.”

Weasel words!

The reality is that banks are doing all they can to shore up their balance sheets, lest another self inflicted financial storm rocks their boat.

Bank of England Disconnected From Reality

The Bank of England, in its latest Quarterly Bulletin, has demonstrated that it is somewhat disconnected from reality and displays a mack of understanding of human nature.

In the bulletin, the Bank warns that “saving appears to be too low”:

“If current households choose not to pass on those gains to later generations, they may be able to spend more and save less. Future generations, however, will need to save more for their retirement or work longer.”

That is all very well, maybe. However the Bank appears to have forgotten that UK interest rates (0.5%) are at the lowest they have been for years.

Add to that the fact that we are being told that we will have to endure years of austerity and, like it or not, people's reaction will be very human; namely to enjoy the good times (ie spend) whilst they still can.

Economic cycles and people's reactions to them are driven by emotions not logic.