Central Bank governor, Hector Valdez Albizu has said that there was plenty of money circulating and discounted stories indicating that the opposite was the case. He said that banks have begun to lend money to all the different economic sectors. According to the El Caribe, Valdez Albizu said that as of 15 June there was RD$85.845 billion in circulation, 7% more than in December of 2004. The official pointed out that this was RD$5.945 billion more money for goods and services in just the first five months of the year. With inflation pegged at just 0.77% for the year so far, there has to have been a real increase in the public’s purchasing power, according to the top banking official. These statements were confirmed by the head of the Dominican Traders Federation (FDC), Ivan de Jesus Garcia, who told reporters that profits were up in the sector thanks to the stable dollar and the brakes put on inflation. Garcia pointed out that construction was starting to get busier as a result of the additional cash on the streets. The FDC chief also reported that sales are up 10%-15% since May. Nonetheless, the Central Bank governor had to listen to the FDC complaints about the tight money situation at the banks. Garcia renewed his litany about the fact that it is cheaper to get a car loan than it is to get a loan to re-stock a trader’s shelves. Valdez Albizu promised the traders that he would try and ease credit for the sector.