## Interest Rate Spreads in the Eastern Caribbean

_IMF Working Papers, April 1, 1998_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Interest Rate Spreads in the Eastern Caribbean](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/interest-rate-spreads-in-the-eastern-caribbean-2579)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/interest-rate-spreads-in-the-eastern-caribbean-2579/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/interest-rate-spreads-in-the-eastern-caribbean-2579/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/interest-rate-spreads-in-the-eastern-caribbean-2579/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Ruby Randall
- Published: April 1, 1998
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451847918.001

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### Summary
- Author: Ruby Randall
- Date: April 1, 1998
- Paper examines interest rate spreads in the Eastern Caribbean and seeks to explain why they are persistently high by comparison with other low-inflation countries.
- Main conclusion: operating costs appear to be a key determinant of observed interest rate spreads.

### Key findings
- Interest rate spreads in the Eastern Caribbean are persistently high relative to other low-inflation countries.
- Operating costs are identified as a key determinant of observed interest rate spreads.

### Policy recommendations
- Efforts to expand the market size of efficient banks might help pave the way for greater efficiency.

### Subjects and keywords
- Subjects: Banking, Commercial banks, Deposit rates, Financial institutions, Financial regulation and supervision, Financial services, Loan loss provisions, Loans, National accounts, Personal income
- Keywords: bank interest; bank interest rate spread; banking industry; Caribbean; commercial bank; commercial bank costs; Commercial banks; Deposit rates; Eastern Caribbean; ECCB; ECCB aggregate; ECCB area; ECCB interest rate; ECCB loan loss; ECCB rate; interest rate; interest rate spreads; Loan loss provisions; Loans; marginal revenue; overdraft rate; Personal income; return on assets; United States interest rate; WP

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## Content in this bundle

- **Interest Rate Spreads in the Eastern Caribbean - WP/98/59**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/interest-rate-spreads-in-the-eastern-caribbean-2579_