Pico-finance reform on the cards

The Finance Ministry is preparing to update a ministry notification regarding the operation of pico-finance businesses to offer greater consumer protection, says Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) deputy director-general Sumalee Satitchaichareon.

The FPO drafted an amendment to the Ministry of Finance’s notification in relation to supervision regarding microfinance at the provincial level, or pico-finance, and is holding a public hearing between Sept 6-20.

The amended notification aims to address the loan shark problem and increase protection for consumers from some brokers who charge higher interest rates in return for higher commissions from lenders.

The aggregated amount of interest, indemnity, service…