Interest rates that had already been dropping are expected to decline further following the announcement of the Monetary Junta that some RD$1,783.5 million is being released back into the banking system. The money’s had been frozen in February when there was an upward run on the dollar exchange rate. The Monetary Junta said it retains restrictions on credits to commerce, which banks need to keep at the same levels as of 30 December, when seven out of every 10 pesos were being lent out for imports. The money’s include 20% of the bank legal reserves and RD$1,375 million retained by the Central Bank in the form of "participation certificates."
