Lending Rates Unchanged 

Despite recent reports in the local media, banks have denied a halt in loans due to the reported rise in interest rates. 
Alireza Qeitasi, secretary of the State Banks Coordination Council, in a talk with IBENA rejected reports on the aversion of banks to lend saying that lending policy is based on bank resources. 
"Banks have not stopped paying loans," Qeitasi stressed. 
He referred to the 18% growth in banks' resources since the beginning of the fiscal year last March and said, "Banks' total outstanding loans also have increased by 18% in the same period."