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☆ Portuguese Bankers Warn Political Instability Could Undermine Reforms, Public Finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Sergio GoncalvesLISBON (Reuters) - The resignation of Portugal's prime minister will trigger instability that could delay economic reforms, while making it harder for the country to keep a balanced budget and further reduce debt, bankers warned on Thursday. The government remains fully functional for the time being, at least until parliament has had its final vote on the 2024 budget on Nov. 29. He said reforms should create an environment for companies to achieve better results and compete more effectively globally. The 2024 budget projects economic growth will slow to 1.5% in 2024 from 2.2% expected this year and political instability may also delay public investment, such as using COVID recovery funds, and private investment. "Probably no one wants to invest when there is great instability," said Pedro Castro Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal.

Persons: Sergio Goncalves LISBON, Portugal's, Antonio Costa, illegalities, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Antonio Horta, Osorio, Miguel Maya, Pedro Castro Almeida, Paulo Macedo, Sergio Goncalves, Catarina Demony, Mark Potter Organizations: Credit Suisse, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander Portugal, Caixa Geral Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, Horta, Caixa, Depositos

☆ Portuguese bankers warn political instability could undermine reforms, public finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Sergio Goncalves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Antonio Horta Osorio, CEO of Lloyds Banking Group, arrives at a garden party at Buckingham Palace, London, May 22, 2018. The government remains fully functional for the time being, at least until parliament has had its final vote on the 2024 budget on Nov. 29. He said reforms should create an environment for companies to achieve better results and compete more effectively globally. The 2024 budget projects economic growth will slow to 1.5% in 2024 from 2.2% expected this year and political instability may also delay public investment, such as using COVID recovery funds, and private investment. "Probably no one wants to invest when there is great instability," said Pedro Castro Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal.

Persons: Antonio Horta Osorio, Simon Dawson, Portugal's, Antonio Costa, illegalities, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Antonio Horta, Osorio, Miguel Maya, Pedro Castro Almeida, Paulo Macedo, Sergio Goncalves, Catarina Demony, Mark Potter Organizations: Lloyds Banking Group, REUTERS, Rights, Credit Suisse, bcp, Santander Portugal, Caixa Geral, Thomson Locations: Buckingham Palace, London, Rights LISBON, Lisbon, Portugal, Horta, Caixa, Depositos

LISBON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Further consolidation of Portugal's banking sector is inevitable, European Central Bank member Mario Centeno told Reuters on Wednesday, calling "remarkable" the recent progress the country's banks have made on strengthening capital and reducing risk. Analysts have said that Portuguese banks should bet on M&A operations to achieve better competitive conditions, despite the five largest players' owning 80% to 85% of banking assets. Portugal's banks are still scarred from a debt crisis and a spike in NPLs after the 2010-13 recession. The NPL ratio for Portugal's lenders was 3.4% of total credit in June, versus 17.9% in mid-2016. "Although I am very satisfied with the evolution...there is no point in resting, we have to challenge ourselves," Centeno said.

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