The value of interests and fees charged by public banks during the first 6 months of 2023 increased 21.6% to TND 2047.7 million, compared to the same period in 2022, according to financial indicators published on the website of the Financial Market Council (French: CMF).

The value of interests from three public banks reached TND 1838.8 million by the end of June 2023, while the value of fees applied to customers amounted to TND 208.9 million.

Therefore, during the first semester of 2022, revenues from interests and fees climbed to TND 1684.2 million, with interests accounting for TND 1476.3 million and fees totalling TND 207.9 million.

These revenues helped cover salaries and premiums for employees working for these banks. They increased from TND 300.3 million in June 2022 to TND 331.9 million in June 2023, posting a 10.5% rise.

The issue of excessive banking interests and fees was raised by President Kais Saied during a restricted Cabinet Meeting. Furthermore, other parties, including the “Alert” organisation, announced on Tuesday, September 19, that they had received 1,099 complaints from citizens against the banks. They included violations related to the non-closure of accounts. The complaints also target the application of interests, even though these accounts are frozen and do not benefit from several free services stipulated by the law.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse