Doha – Mubasher: The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) said Wednesday that it is not planning to toughen standards of personal loans disbursed to citizens and residents, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The bank denied recent reports that it is imposing tougher lending restrictions that include raising the minimum monthly salary as part of the acceptance criteria for personal loan applicants, a bank official told QNA.

The official also warned of the possible reactions to spreading such news, citing fallouts could eventually translate into sluggish market movement and bearish sentiments.

Local newspapers reported yesterday that local banks are setting new terms for lending citizens and residents, in a move that aims to protect the banks’ money and ensure borrowers will be able to make timely repayments.