MID-TERM MONETARY POLICY STATEMENT
FOSTERING PRICE STABILITY
21 AUGUST 2020


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TABLE OF CONTENTS


ANNEXURE:

TABLE OF FIGURES

List of Tables

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.
This Monetary Policy Statement outlines the monetary policy stance being
pursued by the Bank in the second half of 2020. The Statement also reviews
the monetary policy measures implemented in the first half of the year, with
particular focus on measures to contain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
on price and exchange rate stability. In addition, the Statement outlines the
current global and domestic economic developments and implications on the
economic outlook.

2.
The national economy, like the rest of economies across the globe, is
experiencing economic and social turbulence induced by the outbreak of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged COVID-19 induced disruptions to
global production and trade have been more than initially anticipated and have
worsened the global economic outlook, with adverse effects on domestic
economic performance. Consequently, the global economy which was
initially anticipated to decline by 3.9% in 2020 is now expected to decline by
4.9%. These developments have seen central banks across the globe easing
monetary policies as well as taking deliberate measures to balance financial
stability while supporting economic recovery.

3.
The domestic economic decline was further exacerbated by negative
perceptions that continued to prevail during the first half of the year.
Resultantly, business entities resorted to the practice of forward pricing to
hedge against exchange rate volatility, notwithstanding improving economic
fundamentals as reflected in healthy fiscal and balance of payments positions.

4.
It is against the above context that the Bank’s monetary policy stance has been
reinvigorated to foster price and exchange rate stability through the
introduction of a transparent foreign exchange auction system on 23 June 2020
and strict adherence to the monetary targeting framework.

5.
The introduction of the Dutch foreign exchange auction system has so far
achieved its key objective of price stability and has greatly assisted in creating
transparency in the management of foreign exchange and in price discovery
of the market exchange rate. This has restrained the speculative pass-through
effects of the exchange rate on the pricing of goods and services in the
economy. Sustaining the auction system is therefore crucial in fostering price
stability in the economy.

6.
Whilst the Bank is encouraged by the fact that some business entities have
realigned their pricing models to the auction determined exchange rate, other
entities are not complying and charging for goods and services at rates higher
than the auction rate despite accessing foreign exchange from the auction.
Such practice of forward pricing of the exchange rate goes against the positive
outlook on the exchange rate that is showing consistent signs of convergence
as evidenced by the continued narrowing of the bands between the highest and
lowest foreign currency bids and the reduction in the parallel exchange rate
premium to below 15%.

7.
The resultant stability and predictability in the exchange rate is envisaged to
help stabilise prices of goods and services. Consequently, annual blended
inflation that stood at 485.27% is projected to taper-off over the remaining
part of the year as inflationary pressures continue to ease. The supportive
measures put in place by the Bank to sustain the auction, including strict
adherence to the monetary targeting framework, suspension of mobile money

agents for bulk transactions and improved monitoring of electronic
transactions have also started to bear fruit as evidenced by the muted activity
on the foreign exchange parallel market.

8.
The stability and predictability of the exchange rate have been supported by
the buoyant external sector, which continues to exhibit resilience as evidenced
by a stable trend in performance of exports and international remittances,
notwithstanding the adverse impact of COVID-19. The country recorded a
positive foreign currency net position of US$1.3 billion for the six months
ending 30 June 2020, compared to a deficit of US$738.7 million for the same
period in 2019. Sustained export performance is critical for the steady supply
of foreign currency needed to sustain the economy.

9.
The financial sector has also continued to exhibit resilience as evidenced by
strong banking sector balance sheets and minimum systemic risks. In addition,
all banking institutions are compliant with the prescribed minimum capital
requirements.

10. This Statement, therefore, lays out additional measures to support price and
exchange rate stability in the economy. The rest of the Monetary Policy
Statement is organised as follows: Section 2 evaluates the recent monetary
policy measures, including decisions and policies made by the Bank’s MPC
and Section 3 outlines the additional measures to buttress and sustain the
auction system as well as supporting economic recovery. Section 4 discusses
the outlook and conclusions from the Statement. Finally, the Statement
contains an annexure discussing international and domestic macroeconomic
and financial developments underpinning monetary policy decisions.

SECTION 2: RECENT MONETARY POLICY MEASURES

11. Since the last Monetary Policy Statement issued in February 2020, the Bank,
through the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), implemented a number of
measures aimed at ensuring exchange rate, price and financial stability in the
economy, while supporting real economic activity. In particular, the Bank
implemented the following key policies:

Introduction of the Foreign Exchange Auction System
12. In response to the volatility in the pricing of goods and services due to the
rising parallel exchange rate premium, the Bank replaced the fixed exchange
rate system, which had the domestic currency pegged at ZW$25 per US
dollar, with a foreign exchange auction system.

13. Since its introduction on 23 June 2020, a total of US$137.4 million has been
allotted against bids for US$157.8 million at the end of 9th auction on 18
August 2020. Effectively the auction system has to date served 87.1% of the
formal foreign exchange market demand. Total foreign currency allotments
have ranged between US$10.3 million and US$18.8 million per auction.

14. The foreign exchange auction system has greatly assisted in improving
transparency in the foreign currency market and has facilitated the discovery
of a market-based exchange rate. In addition, the system has been critical in
fostering exchange rate and price convergence over time. The dispersion
between the highest and lowest bid rates on the auction system has been
converging towards the weighted average exchange rate, while the parallel
market premium has remained suppressed. The dispersion between the highest
and lowest bid rates, which was around 75 points at the beginning of the
auction had fallen to about 8 points after the ninth auction.

Figure 1: Exchange Rate Convergence Under the Auction System


17. The same is true for the parallel market exchange rate that fell from the range
of ZW$95 to Z$W120 : US$ at the commencement of the auction system to
the current range of ZW$85 to ZW$110 : US$ as shown in Figure 1 above.
The parallel exchange rate premiums have thus plummeted from about 300%
before the introduction of the auction system to the international known levels
of between 5 to 15% as of the second week of August 2020.

18. The re-direction of the foreign currency demand pressure from the parallel
market to the auction, coupled with improved foreign currency supply and the
Bank’s contractionary monetary growth stance, will assist in fostering price
stability. The subsequent introduction of the auction system for SMEs, running
concurrently with the main auction, will further support current efforts to
improve the management of foreign exchange in the economy.


23 Jun 20
30 Jun 20
07 Jul 20
14 Jul 20
21 Jul 20
28 Jul 20
04 Aug 20
13 Aug 20
18 Aug 20
Exchange Rate (USD:ZWL)
Low Bid Rate
High Bid Rate
Weighted Rate

Measures to Support the Auction System
19. The Bank has also put in place the following supply side measures to support
the auction:
a. Allowing direct participation of exporters on the auction at their preferred
reserve prices;
b. Engagement of banks to participate on the auction;
c. Upward reviewing of the foreign exchange retention for gold producers to
70% for them to enhance production;
d. Arranging foreign lines of credit on behalf of Government to supplement
domestic-generated foreign exchange, and
e. Liberalisation of the use of free funds.

20. The above measures have continued to see a steady flow of funds to support
the auction.

Bank Policy Rate
21. In order to curb speculative borrowing and manage foreign exchange
pressures, the Bank reviewed the Bank Policy rate upwards from 15% to 35%.
This was to reduce excess liquidity on the market which could be channelled
towards purchasing of foreign currency thus putting pressure on the exchange
rate.

Open Market Operations Instruments
22. The Bank introduced an exchange rate linked Open Market Operations
(OMO) instrument settled in local currency, to allow those with excess
liquidity to preserve value without destabilising the exchange rate. The
instrument, over and above compensating for exchange rate losses, also
carries an interest rate of 5% per annum. This instrument which shall also be
listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange is expected to mop up the excess

liquidity and ease the exchange rate pressures in the economy. In the same
vein, the Bank has encouraged banking institutions to come up with similar
value preserving instruments for their customers.

Productive Sector Facility
24. The Bank continued to support the productive sectors through its Mediumterm Lending Facility to support banks with productive sector funding
requirements. A total of ZW$2.6 billion had been disbursed to banks as at
30th June 2020. Whilst this Facility is necessary to enhance productivity, it
needs to be continuously reviewed to manage the risk of increasing reserve
money in the economy.

Reserve Requirements
25. The Bank reviewed the reserve requirements from 5% to 2.5% to enable banks
to increase credit to the productive sectors of the economy.

Monetary Targeting Framework
26. The Bank remained committed to the monetary targeting framework as a way
of containing money supply growth to curb inflationary pressures in the
economy. The Bank, through the MPC, has been aggressive in containing
reserve money growth below the target growth of 50% by year end. The Bank
has also been transparently publishing reserve money statistics as part of its
forward guidance and communication strategy.

Addressing Cash Challenges
27. In response to the increasing demand for cash by the transacting public, the
Bank introduced higher denominations of ZW$10 and ZW$20 in the banking
system. In addition, the cash withdrawal limits were reviewed upwards from

ZW$300 to ZW$1000 per week to provide transactional convenience to the
public.

28. The Bank implemented various regulatory and supervisory measures to
maintain financial stability. These measures were aimed at ensuring that
banking institutions continue to support the real economy, as well as
minimising the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.

29. The banking sector has also implemented various strategies to cushion its
customers and maintain stability and these include moratoria on repayment of
loans and a freeze or reduction of service fees.

SECTION 3: NEW MONETARY POLICY MEASURES

A. SUSTENANCE OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE AUCTION
30. The foreign exchange auction system has managed to minimise the volatility
in the exchange rate which was the principal driver of price instability in the
economy. Accordingly, the auction or market exchange rate has continued to
be below the parallel exchange rates of between ZW$95 -120 : US$ that the
market was using before the introduction of the auction system on 23 June
2020. This positive development on the exchange rate has thus significantly
stabilised prices in the national economy and should be sustained.

31. In order to continue fostering price stability through increasing availability of
foreign currency on the auction, the Bank is putting in place the following
measures that take account of the fact that participation on the auction is open
to all entities irrespective of whether or not they are exporters and, as such,
any shortfalls to meet entities’ foreign exchange requirements will be met
through the auction:

Standardisation of Export Retention
32. Given the positive impact of the auction system in price stability and the need
to sustain the auction, all export retention thresholds for all exporters will be
at a standard level of 70% with immediate effect.

33. In addition to this equity principle on export retention thresholds, the 30 day
liquidation period of unused funds has been reviewed upwards to 60 days
from the day of receipt of funds. This is essential to enable exporters to better
manage and plan their cashflows.

Supporting the Auction from Domestic Forex Resources
34. Following the decision to allow the use of free funds in the pricing of goods
and services in the economy, the Bank is encouraged by the growth of the
foreign exchange balances in the domestic foreign currency accounts, from
US$352.4 million in January 2020 to US$404.8 million as at end of July 2020.

35. In order to ensure that some of the domestic-generated foreign currency is
utilised to sustain the auction, with immediate effect and going forward, 20%
of the foreign currency receipts of providers of goods and services shall be
liquidated at the point of depositing in the Domestic FCAs.

36. For the avoidance of doubt, all existing balances in the Domestic FCAs will
not be affected by this policy.

37. This policy measure shall also not apply to recipients of free funds including
individuals, embassies, non-governmental organisations, tobacco and cotton
producers and Domestic FCAs for fuel companies.

Foreign Currency Trading by Bureaux de Change
38. The Bank is further liberalising the activities of bureaux de change to enable
them to enhance their business by increasing the exchange rate spread from
the current 3.5% to up to 5.0% above the auction rate. The bureaux de change
will be required to sell at the auction at their reserve price, 80% of their
balances held every Monday.

Compliance with Auction Rates
39. The Bank has noted with concern malpractices by certain business entities
that are charging for goods and services at rates way above the rate obtaining

on the auction to the detriment of the consumers. Such malpractices are
counter-productive and negate the objective of price stability.

40. In order to curb such delinquent behaviour and to enforce compliance, the
Bank is proceeding to establish a toll free line through which the
public/consumers will report to the Bank such malpractices and other foreign
currency related transgressions.

B. BANK POLICY RATE
41. In line with the MPC resolutions of 13 August 2020, the Bank Policy Rate for
overnight accommodation shall remain at 35% per annum, whilst the rate for
the Medium-term Lending Facility shall be 25% per annum with immediate
effect.

C. BANKING INSTITUTIONS CAPITALISATION PLANS
42. Cognisant of the prevailing challenging environment exacerbated by the
negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank is extending the
deadline for compliance with the requirement for meeting the minimum
capital levels, as indicated in Table 2 below, by one year from 31 December
2020 to 31 December 2021. In this regard, banking institutions are required
to submit to the Bank updates of capitalisation plans by 31 December 2020
and 30 June 2021.

Table 2: Minimum Capital Requirements
Type of Institution
Minimum Capital Requirements in ZW$
Equivalent to :-
TIER 1 - Large Indigenous Commercial Banks & all
Foreign Banks
USD30 million
TIER II - Commercial Banks, Merchant Banks, Building
Societies, Development Banks, Finance & Discount
Houses
USD20 million
TIER III - Deposit-Taking Microfinance Banks
USD5 million
Credit Only Microfinance Institutions
USD25,000


43. Banking institutions are also required to continue to assess the adequacy of
their economic capital levels against their risk profiles. Particular attention
should be given to credit risk, operational risk and business risk, which have
been significantly increased by the COVID-19 pandemic.

D. MEASURES TO ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES IN MOBILE BANKING
44. The forensic audit to assess the integrity, compliance and efficacy of mobile
money platforms and transactions in Zimbabwe has revealed significant
weaknesses in the systems of the mobile payment operators, namely Ecocash,
OneMoney, Telecash and Mycash.

45. The critical weaknesses that cut across the four mobile payment platforms are:
i.
Non-adherence to KYC principles, characterised by, among other
issues, creation of mobile money accounts using fictitious and
unverified identification particulars;

ii. Creation of money on the platforms (overdrafts and fraudulent /
fictitious credits) which is not backed by balances in the Mobile Money
Trust Accounts;
iii. System infrastructure inadequacies and weak Anti Money Laundering
controls;
iv. Failure to comply with, including willful disregard for, regulatory
directives;
v. Connivance between mobile money operator employees and customers
to delay or illegally bypass account freeze orders;
vi. Failure to deduct or remit statutory taxes; and
vii. Rampant abuse of agent, super-agent and bulk payment wallets for
purposes of trading on the foreign exchange parallel market.

46. On the basis of the forensic audit findings and recommendations, the
following measures to address the shortcomings shall be implemented with
immediate effect:

Individuals
47. Transactions by individuals shall be pegged at ZW$5,000 per day. Individuals
shall be allowed to undertake Person to Person transfers, Person to Merchant
payments for goods and services, settlement of bills and purchase of airtime.

48. Following the suspension and freezing of agent and bulk-payer wallets on 27
June, 2020, mobile money operators have allowed illegal foreign currency
dealers to use multiple individual wallets as a means to bypass the transaction
limits and continue with their illicit transactions. Mobile money operators
shall, with immediate effect, close all multiple wallets, and allow just one
wallet per individual.

Merchants
49. Retailers and other service providers will be permitted to continue operating
merchant wallets to allow the public to pay for goods and services.

50. Merchants shall not be allowed to make payments from their wallets. E-value
held in merchant wallets shall be liquidated to the merchant’s bank account.

51. In this regard, mobile money operators shall have systems in place to ensure
automatic liquidations from the merchant wallets to the merchant bank
accounts. This measure shall ensure that mobile payment platforms are not
used for store of value but shall be restricted for transacting purposes in
furtherance of financial inclusion in the economy.

Agents
52. Agent wallets are no longer serving any legitimate purpose and were now
being used primarily for illegal foreign exchange transactions. Agents’ mobile
money wallets are therefore abolished, with immediate effect.

53. Agents currently holding value in suspended and frozen wallets shall be
allowed to liquidate the funds to their bank accounts, upon the Financial
Intelligence Unit (FIU) having satisfied itself of the legitimacy of the source
of funds.

Bulk payment accounts
54. Mobile payment operators have been turning a blind eye and have even
actively encouraged the abuse of bulk payment wallets for illegal foreign
currency transactions, thus earning lucrative transaction fees in the process.

55. Going forward, bulk payment wallets will be approved by regulatory
authorities for limited use, primarily for low value transactions and
humanitarian funds disbursements to vulnerable members of society.

56. Any other bulk payment transactions, such as payment of salaries and wages,
should be processed through normal banking channels.

Other corrective measures
57. The Bank, as regulator of mobile payment services, and the FIU, as the agency
responsible for enforcing anti money laundering standards, will consider the
findings and recommendations of the forensic report, in detail, and come up
with comprehensive corrective measures for implementation by mobile
payment operators, to ensure compliance, integrity and efficacy of mobile
money transactions.

58. For identified serious breaches, appropriate regulatory and disciplinary
measures will be instituted against delinquent mobile money operators and /
or any culpable individuals, in accordance with the law.

Interoperability
59. On 27 March 2020, the Government passed the Banking (Money
Transmission, Mobile Banking and Mobile Money Interoperability)
Regulations, under Statutory Instrument 80 of 2020. The new law is intended
to facilitate integration of payment systems and promote efficiency of
payment services, for the convenience of the transacting public.

60. Pursuant to the statutory instrument, the Bank designated Zimswitch
Technologies (Private) Limited (Zimswitch) as a national payment switch,

and required all payment service providers, including mobile payment
operators, to be connected thereto.

61. With all banks and some mobile payment operators already connected to
Zimswitch, connectivity by all payment service providers is expected to be
completed by 30 September 2020.

E. MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 ALLOWANCES FOR PUBLIC SECTOR
EMPLOYEES

62. In view of the continuous challenges faced by the public sector employees to
access their COVID-19 allowances, the Bank is directing all banks to adhere
to the requirements to open domestic FCA accounts to enable the public sector
employees to access their US$ allowances in the manner and form as expected
by Government and the employees.

63. Banks should make it easy for these public servants to have access to foreign
exchange cards and to permit them to transact in the normal course of business
like any other ordinary customers of banks with adherence to the usual Know
Your Customer (KYC) principles.

64. Accordingly, banks are directed to submit returns to the Bank by 31 August
2020 on their banking programme(s) that they have put in place to address the
requirement for ease of access to COVID-19 allowance by the public sector
employees.

F. BUSINESS CONTINUITY
65. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented businesses with many unforeseen
challenges due to its rapid spreading and global reach, which necessitates

improvement and continuous review of banking institutions’ business
continuity plans to better prepare for the impact the pandemic.

66. In this regard, banking institutions are required to submit updated business
continuity plans (BCPs) by 30 October 2020. The revised BCPs should
include:
a) adequate measures for infection control in the workplace;
b) preparedness for large-scale remote working of staff;
c) customers prompt access to their funds;
d) critical systems, functions and staff;
e) continued compliance with regulatory reporting requirements
f) alternate business sites; and
g) data back-up and recovery.

G. CREDIT RISK
67. The COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant lockdowns to contain the spread
of the pandemic has impacted negatively on the cash flows of many
consumers and businesses. The identification of risk concentrations from an
overall portfolio perspective is therefore paramount during this pandemic. In
particular reviewing sectoral concentrations of loans is critical given that the
pandemic has affected various sectors differently.

68. Against this background, with effect from 30 September 2020, banking
institutions are required to submit monthly credit reports on the status of each
of their top twenty loans/exposure and a clear strategy for action where there
is deterioration in quality of the concerned loan.

H. CYBER RISK AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
69. The COVID-19 pandemic has made a compelling case for digital banking.
Accelerated digitisation by banking institutions in the wake of COVID-19 and
the remote working arrangements have expanded the attack surface of banks’
information technology networks. Critical business functions are more
exposed to opportunistic and targeted cyber-attacks by criminals and thus
increasing consumer protection risks.

70. Cyber and anti-fraud controls are critical for banking institutions during and
post COVID-19. Banking institutions are called upon to remain alert to such
threats and activate appropriate risk management responses and to conduct
ongoing consumer education campaigns.

71. Banking institutions should review the adequacy of their ICT systems.
Accordingly, banking institutions are required to submit to the Bank updated
cyber risk management policies by 30 October 2020, taking into account
COVID-19 experiences to date.

SECTION 4: OUTLOOK AND CONCLUSION

Economic Outlook
72. The measures contained in this Statement will foster stability in prices and
exchange rate consistent with the trend that has been witnessed since adoption
of the foreign exchange auction system in June 2020. The Bank is committed
to containing fluctuations in the exchange rate within a low band through
market-based means and monetary policy instruments under its purview,
notably, reserve money targeting.

73. The ensuing stability of the exchange rate will enhance the value of the
Zimbabwe dollar as a store of value in an environment where business and
consumers use the exchange rate as the nominal anchor. This will in turn help
reduce demand for foreign currency for store of value and thus enhancing
current measures to stabilise prices.

74. Reflecting recent developments on the foreign exchange auction, blended
annual inflation is forecast to gradually fall to 249% by December 2020 and
further to single digit levels by December 2021. The liquidity mopping effect
of the auction coupled with continued restraint on money supply growth is
expected to dampen inflationary pressures in the economy culminating to a
sustained trajectory in the year-on-year inflation as shown in the post auction
policy scenario in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Inflation Development and Outlook


Conclusion
75. The stability in prices and exchange rate witnessed since the adoption of the
auction system will go a long way in fostering stability and predictability in
price and exchange rate dynamics. This stability is necessary to support and
boost the country’s productivity levels that is critical to ensure self-sustenance
and increasing employment.

76. Concerted efforts are obviously required from all stakeholders to play their
part in avoiding some of the vices which have been driving the parallel market
exchange rate and propagating inflationary pressures in the economy. These
vices include the speculative and short-termism tendencies and indiscipline
particularly relating to the use of the mobile money platforms which
compelled Government to take drastic measures to suspend agent-based
mobile transactions and subsequent abolishment of agent mobile money
wallets in terms of this Statement.


Apr-20
May-20
Jun-20
Jul-20
Aug-20
Sep-20
Oct-20
Nov-20
Dec-20
Projections
baseline
Post Auction Policy
Impact of
Auction

77. The Bank remains committed to foster price stability through containing
money supply growth to anchor inflation expectations and contain
fluctuations in the market-based exchange rate within sustainable bands.
Fostering price stability is sine qua non to boost confidence within the
economy and for enhancing production and productivity.


I THANK YOU

JOHN P. MANGUDYA
GOVERNOR

ANNEXURE:

MACROECONOMIC
AND
FINANCIAL
DEVELOPMENTS
Global Developments
1. The global economy is now projected to decline by 4.9% in 2020, as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disruptive and negative implications
for global trade channels, business and tourism travel, capital flows and
commodity prices.

3. The world economy is, however, forecasted to rebound by 5.4% in 2021, on
account of worldwide restoration of consumer and investor confidence. Table
1 summarises global economic growth developments and prospects for
selected regions and countries.


Table 3: World Economic Growth (%)

2020 Proj.
2021 Proj.
World Output

Advanced Economies

o/w: United States

Euro-Area

Japan

Emerging Market &
Developing Economies

Asia

China

India

SSA

Nigeria

South Africa


Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, June 2020

Domestic Developments
4. The economy was initially projected to grow by 3% in 2020, driven by
anticipated positive performances in the key sectors. However, due to COVID19 and another drought year, the economy is now projected to contract by
4.5%, with the declines cutting across all sectors of the economy.

Inflation
5. Following adoption of dual currency pricing, it became essential and
reasonable that inflation in Zimbabwe is measured on a blended or composite
basis to reflect changes in both local currency and USD prices. Accordingly,
the blended month-on-month inflation declined from 29.1% in June 2020 to
16.6% in July 2020 as shown in Figure 2 below. Foreign exchange transactions
in the economy have increased following Government’s policy to allow the use
of foreign exchange on domestic transactions at the onset of COVID-19
containment measures.

6.
The decline in overall monthly blended inflation in July 2020 was mainly on
account of decreases in food inflation. Blended monthly food inflation
declined from 36.8% in June to 4.77%. The decline in food prices mainly
reflect stability in the foreign exchange market where the producers of
foodstuffs are accessing forex at the auction rate. The parallel exchange rate
has stabilised following adoption of the foreign exchange auction, thus
pointing to subdued inflationary pressures in the outlook.

Figure 2: Month-on-month Inflation


Source: Zimstat, 2020


Foreign Currency Receipts and Payments
7.
Total foreign currency receipts for the period January to 30 June 2020
amounted to USD3.16 billion, of which USD1,96 billion were export
proceeds. During the corresponding period in 2019, total foreign currency
receipts amounted to USD2.69 billion, of which USD1,86 billion were export
proceeds.

8.
The increase of 17.4% in total foreign currency receipts in the first quarter of
2020 as shown in Table 4 below was mainly driven by the increase in
international remittances, drawdowns on lines of credit and increase in
exports.


Food
Non-Food
All Items

Table 4: Total Foreign Currency Receipts (USD millions)
Source
Jan-June

%
Contribution
Jan-June

% Change
Export Proceeds


International
Remittances
Diaspora
Remittances

NGOs

Loan Proceeds


Income receipts


Foreign Investment


TOTAL


Source: Exchange Control Records and Bank Supervision Application System (BSA)

Foreign Currency Payments
9. From January to 30 June 2020, foreign payments reported by Authorised
Dealers amounted to USD1,84 billion. This represents a 5.9% decrease from
USD1,96 billion recorded during the same period in 2019. Mining and
Agriculture sectors registered fair increase of 24% and 58% respectively in
foreign payments made relative to the previous year’s payments with the
exception of the manufacturing, services, retail & distribution and individuals
sectors which recorded a decrease of about 16%, 21%, 8% and 1% respectively.

Table 5: Foreign Payments by Sector in USD (Jan – June 2020)
Sector

% Variance
Services
481,156,320
610,936,943
-21
Retail and Distribution
478,832,447
518,461,573
-8
Manufacturing
341,543,884
405,465,529
-16
Mining
397,039,217
319,655,580
24.2
Agriculture
118,898,621
75,200,971

Individuals
21,877,414
25,394,058
-14
Total
1,839,347,903
1,955,114,654
-5.9
Source: CEBAS Foreign Payments Reporting System, RBZ
Balance of Payments Developments and Outlook
10. Reflecting favourable foreign currency performance during the first half of
the year, albeit under a harsh operating environment, the country’s balance
of payments is projected to remain favourable, driven by improvements in
exports and diaspora remittances.

11. As at 30 June 2020 total International Remittances amounted to US$705
million, representing a 26% increase from 2019’s figure of US$558 million
during the same period. Of the total amount, diaspora remittances amounted to
US$374 million, a 25% increase from US$298 million received during the
same period in 2019. International remittances received through the normal
banking system on behalf of International Organizations (NGOs) amounted to
US$331 million, a 27% increase from previous year of US$260 million. Table
6 shows month on month Diaspora remittances (person to person remittances)
for the year 2019 and 2020.

Table 6: Monthly Inward Diaspora Remittances in USD (Jan - July)

Variance %
January
60,487,920
44,567,757

February
69,216,134
41,778,076

March
61,138,089
62,414,369
-2
April
30,906,845
49,227,045
-37
May
66,742,096
53,896,272

June
85,849,311
46,525,102

July
91,852,638
51,255,845

Total
466,193,033
349,664,465

Source: Exchange Control and Bank Supervision Application System (BSA)

MONETARY GROWTH
12. Growth in reserve money continues to be contained within the Bank’s
Monetary Targeting Framework, which is consistent with the Monetary
Policy Committee’s targeted reserve money growth of below 50 percent per
quarter in 2020. In line with this policy framework, reserve money declined
to ZW$11.81 billion as at week ending 14th August 2020, from ZW$16.66
billion recorded at the end of July 2020, largely reflecting decreases of banks’
liquidity positions (i.e. banks’ balances at RBZ).

13. The decrease in reserve money since the introduction of the auction system
has largely been attributable to purchases of foreign exchange at the new
auction rates; general increase in Government deposits which absorbs market
liquidity as a result of increased revenue collections; and tight liquidity
conditions which saw banks increasingly utilising their deposit balances at the
Bank. The Table below shows developments in reserve money since the
beginning of 2020.

Table 1: Reserve Money Developments (ZW$ Millions)

Jan-20
Feb-20
Mar-20
Apr-20
May-20
Jun-20
Jul-20
Week
Ending
7 Aug-20
Week
Ending
14 Aug-20
Currency Issued by RBZ*

Banking Sector Deposits at RBZ

Statutory (Required) Reserves


1,050
1,041
1,136
Banks’ RTGS LiquidityΩ

Other Deposits@

1,075
1,608

3,312

Reserve Moneyπ

Memorandum Items


Currency Issued/Reserve Money

Currency in Circulation**/Deposits

Monthly Change in RTGS Balances

Monthly Change in Reserve Money

Government Deposits at RBZ )ψ

Other Deposits at RBZ (FPR a/c)


2,324
2,216
Monthly Inflation

N/A
N/A
Inter-Bank Exchange Rate

Notes:
1. Amount also reflects re-classification of FPR’s foreign exchange deposit, which was previously included in reserve
money. This deposit has no effect on reserve money as previously advised.
* Currency Issued – refers to bank notes and coins issued by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
** Currency in Circulation – refers to the currency circulating outside the banking system. This excludes currency held
in the vaults of banks.
Ω These are deposits that banks place in the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System for purposes of meeting their
inter-bank transactions.
π Figures may reflect positions as at last Friday of the month. See Monthly Reviews for month-end positions.
@ Other Deposits are mainly proceeds of drawdowns from foreign currency loans which are advanced to Fidelity
Printers & Refiners (FPR) to purchase gold from the gold producers. The amounts are, therefore, purely accounting
entries which do not represent money creation. With effect from 7th August 2020, this foreign exchange deposit will
now appear as a memorandum item.
Ψ Provisional.
N/A - not yet available.

14. As at May 2020, broad money (M3) stood at ZW$59.5 billion, of which
ZW$33.16 billion (56.10%) was in local currency deposits and ZW$24.98
billion (42.01%) constituted foreign currency deposits. Growth in broad
money during the first five months of 2020 was significantly explained by the
impact of exchange rate depreciation on the foreign currency component of
the deposits (FCAs).

15. The movement of the inter-bank exchange rate, from ZW$17.35/USD in
January 2020 to ZW$25.00/USD in May, resulted in an increase in the foreign
currency component of broad, merely on account of the 44% depreciation in
the exchange rate.

16. The adoption of the foreign exchange auction system, which has seen the
exchange rate re-aligning from ZW$25/USD in May 2020 to ZW$82.9/USD
on the auction of 18th August 2020, will lead to further increases in the foreign
currency component of broad money.

17. In addition, foreign currency deposits in the banking system have been
improving due to inflows from the tobacco selling season, as well as the
harnessing of foreign currency into formal channels, following the policy to
allow use of free funds in settling domestic transactions.

18. The increase in currency in circulation from ZW$953.2 million in January
2020 to Z$W1.1 billion by May 2020 was in line with increased demand for
money in the economy for transactions purposes, in the inflationary
environment. Figure 5 shows developments in the components of broad
money, since 2018.

Figure 3: Composition of Money Supply

Source: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, 2020

19. Domestic credit grew by 36.73% from ZW$27.82 billion in December 2019
to ZW$39.06 billion in May 2020, largely due to an increase in credit to the
private sector, from ZW$11.1 billion to ZW$21.58 billion, over the same
period.

20. Net credit to Government remained constant around Z$W14 billion over the
first 5 months of the year, reflecting reduced recourse by Government to
domestic bank sources of finance. Government recorded a budget surplus of
around ZW$800 million for the first half of 2020.


CONDITION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE BANKING SECTOR

21. Notwithstanding the unprecedented challenges occasioned by the COVID-19
pandemic, the banking sector remained financially stable. On its part, the Bank
implemented regulatory and supervisory measures to maintain financial
stability. These measures were aimed at ensuring that banking institutions


Mar-18
Jun-18
Sept-18
Dec-18
Mar-19
Jun-19
Sept-19
Dec-19
Mar-20
Z$ Million
NCDs
Time Deposits
LCY Transferable Deposits
FCAs
Currency in Circulation
Annual Growth

continue to support the real economy, while minimizing the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.

Banking Sector Architecture
22. The composition of the banking sector under the supervision and oversight of
the Bank remained largely unchanged over the period under review, with the
number of institutions distributed as shown below.

Table 8: Architecture of the Banking Sector
Type of Institution
Number
Commercial Banks

Building Societies

Savings Bank

Total Banking Institutions

Other Institutions under the supervision of Reserve Bank


Credit-only-MFIs

Deposit-taking MFIs*

Development Financial Institutions

Total Other Institutions

* Includes Lion Microfinance Limited (under Curatorship)
23. Ndoro Microfinance (Private) Limited and Cashbox Financial Services
Microfinance Bank (Private) Limited, which were licensed as Deposit-Taking
Microfinance Institutions in September 2019 and February 2020, respectively,

are yet to commence operations as they are putting in place the necessary
infrastructure for commencement of business.

PERFORMANCE OF THE BANKING SECTOR
24. The performance of the banking sector was considered satisfactory during the
period ended 30 June 2020, as evidenced by the financial soundness indicators
provided in Table 9 below.

Table 9: Financial Soundness Indicators
Key Indicators
Benchmark
June-19
Dec-19
Mar-20
June -20
Total Assets
-
$23.54bn
$60.64bn
$98.79bn
$193.56bn
Total Loans & Advances
-
$6.17bn
$12.63bn
$19.42bn
$37.77bn
Net Capital Base
-
$3.31bn
$9.75bn
$14.25bn
$29.47bn
Total Deposits
-
$16.92bn
$34.50bn
$47.05bn
$97.40bn
Net Profit
-
$929.95m
$6.41bn
$1.99bn
$13.46bn
Return on Assets

Return on Equity

Capital Adequacy Ratio

Tier 1 Ratio

Loans to Deposits

Non-Performing Loans Ratio

Liquidity Ratio


Capitalisation
26. As at 30 June 2020, the banking sector aggregate core capital was ZW$20.99
billion, representing an increase of 180.99%, from ZW$7.47 billion as at 31
December 2019. The growth in banking sector aggregate capital was mainly
attributed to growth in retained earnings, buoyed by revaluation gains from
foreign exchange denominated assets, following movements in the foreign
exchange rate with the introduction of the foreign exchange auction in June
2020.

27. The banking sector average capital adequacy and tier 1 ratios of 61.72% and
34.35% as at 30 June 2020, respectively were above the regulatory minima of
12% and 8%, respectively. All banking institutions complied with the
minimum regulatory capital adequacy and tier 1 ratios.

Banking Sector Deposits
28. Total banking sector deposits amounted to $ZW97.40 billion as at 30 June
2020, representing an increase of 182.32%, from $ZW34.5 billion as at
December 2019. The increase in the deposit base was mainly attributable to
revaluation of foreign currency denominated deposits. The trend of banking
sector deposits over the period 31 December 2017 to 30 June 2020 as shown
in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Trend of Banking Sector Deposits (ZW$ billion)


29. The deposit base is dominated by FCA and local demand deposits, which
accounted for 52.59% and 40.66%, of total deposits, respectively, as shown in
Figure 7 below.
Figure 7: Composition of Deposits as at 30 June 2020


31-Dec-17
30-Sept-18
30-Dec-18
31-Mar-19
30-Jun-19
31-Dec-19
31-Mar-20
30-Jun-20
Thousands

30. As at 30 June 2020, the commercial banking sub-sector deposits accounted for
91.54% of total deposits.


Banking Sector Liquidity
31. Figure 8 below shows a relatively stable and steadily rising trend in the banking
sector average prudential liquidity ratio from March 2015 to June 2020.

Figure 8: Prudential Liquidity Ratio Trend (%)


32. The average prudential liquidity ratio for the banking sector was 74.85% as at
30 June 2020. The high average prudential liquidity ratio was partly due to a
cautious lending approach being adopted by banking institutions.

Banking Sector Assets
33. Total assets were ZW$193.56 billion as at 30 June 2020, and largely
comprised balances with foreign institutions, loans & advances, balances with

Mar-15
Mar-16
Mar-17
Mar-18
Dec-18
Mar-19
Jun-19
sep-19
Dec-19
Jun-20
industry average
minimum requirement

central bank, and off-balance sheet items, which constituted 18.58%, 15.85%,
and 12.63% of total assets, respectively, as shown below:

Figure 9: Composition of the Banking Sector Assets as at 30 June 2020


Loans and Advances
34. Total banking sector loans and advances increased by 94.49%, from ZW$19.42
billion as at 31 December 2019 to ZW$37.77 billion as at 30 June 2020. The
growth in total banking sector loans and advances is largely attributed to the
translation of foreign currency denominated loans at the prevailing interbank
exchange rate, which moved upwards in June 2020, following the introduction
of the foreign exchange auction system. Figure 10 below shows the trend in
the total banking sector loans and advances from December 2013 to June 2020.

Figure 10: Trend in Banking Sector Loans & Advances (ZW$m)


35. Loans to productive sectors of the economy constituted 83.69% of total
banking sector loans as at 30 June 2020, as shown in the diagram below.

Figure 11: Sectoral Distribution of Loans as at 30 June 2020


'-

Dec-13
Dec-15
Dec-16
Dec-17
Dec-18
Jun-19
Sept-19
Dec-19
Jun-20

Loan Portfolio Quality
36. The quality of the banking sector loan portfolio continued to improve, as
reflected by an improvement in the non-performing loans (NPLs) to total loans
ratio, from 1.75% as at 31 December 2019 to 1.03% as at 30 June 2020. Figure
13 below shows the trend in the level of non-performing loans to total loans
ratio (NPLs ratio) from December 2015 to June 2020.

Figure 12: Trend in NPL Ratio


Earnings Performance
37. During the period under review, all banking institutions were profitable, with
aggregate profit of ZW$13.46 billion for the half year ended 30 June 2020, up
from ZW$79.40 million for the corresponding period in 2019. The key
revenue drivers were other non-interest income, mainly from revaluation gains
on foreign currency assets. The figure below shows the income mix as at 30
June 2020.


Level of NPLs Ratio

Figure 13: Income Mix – 30 June 2020


OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
38. The Bank has put in place a sector-wide complaints tracking mechanism as
part of consumer protection. All banking and microfinance institutions are now
required to electronically log complaints they receive from clients into a
Complaints Return on the Consumer Protection Module in the Bank
Supervision Application (BSA) System.

39. Submissions for the half year ended June 2020 revealed that complaints
received by banking and microfinance institutions largely related to failed
transactions (14%), delayed transfers (11.62%), and ZIPIT transfer challenges
(8.64%).

SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS
40. The Bank is collaborating with the European Organization for Sustainable
Development (EOSD) in embedding sustainability standards in the financial
sector under the Sustainability Standards Certification Initiative (SSCI).

41. Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2019 between the
EOSD and the Bank, six (6) banking institutions are participating and are
implementing the Standards. Participating banking institutions are now
working on their Purpose Statements and High Impact Goals, which are
aligned to the country’s developmental objectives.

CONDITION AND PERFORMANCE OF DEPOSIT-TAKING
MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS

42. As at 30 June 2020, there were eight (8) registered deposit-taking microfinance
institutions (DTMFIs), comprising of five operating institutions, two licenced
but yet to commence operations, as well as one under curatorship.

Performance of the DTMFIs
43. The DTMFI sub-sector remained generally stable and resilient as evidenced by
adequate capitalization and growth in total assets. However, the sub-sector
recorded heightened exposure to credit risk, as well as low business volumes
and operating losses, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced
restrictions.

44. Table 13 below shows the DTMFI sub-sector’s performance indicators as at
30 June 2020.

Table 13 : DTMFIs Performance Indicators, Dec 2018 – June 2020 (ZW$)
Key Indicators
Dec-18
June 19
*Dec 19
*March

*June 2020
Total Assets
$138.16m
$158.35m
$258.63m
$403.40m
$843.04m
Total Loans & Advances
$84.40m
$97.44m
$88.83m
$120.81m
$134.33m
Core Capital
$60.46m
$86.10m
$128.34m
$178.81m
$300.98m
Net Capital Base
$63.78m
$86.10m
$145.54m
$218.25m
$482.98m
Total Deposits
$23.85m
$15.29m
$35.95m
$68.02m
$83.09m
Net Profit
-$0.029m
$10.32m
$17.39m
$0.17m
$119.79m
Average Operational SelfSufficiency Ratio

Average Return on Assets

Average Return on Equity

Portfolio at risk Ratio (> 30
days)

*figures exclude Lion Microfinance which is under curatorship.

45. Lion Microfinance Limited, which was placed under curatorship by the Bank
on 26 July 2019 due to critical undercapitalisation and weak corporate
governance systems, had its curatorship extended to 30 September 2020, to
allow for finalization of the recapitalisation process, audit verification of the
institution’s financial condition and rectification of corporate governance and
risk management systems.

Capitalisation
46. All the five (5) operating DTMFIs were compliant with the minimum
regulatory capital requirement of ZW$5 million. The DTMFIs submitted
capitalisation plans to comply with revised capital requirements of an
equivalent of USD5 million for DTMFIs, which reflect a need for fresh capital
injections.

Asset Quality
47. Asset quality in the sub-sector deteriorated as evidenced by the increase in the
Portfolio at Risk (>30 days) ratio, from 11.02% as at 31 December 2020 to
16.97% as at 30 June 2020, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced
restrictions, which affected borrowers’ businesses performance, ability of
DTMFIs’ loans officers to make collections, as well as failure by some clients
from the informal sector to resume operations following relaxation of national
lockdown regulations as they are unregistered.

Earnings performance
48. Aggregate net profit increased ten (10) times to ZW$119.79 million for the six
(6) months ended 30 June 2020, from ZW$10.32 million for the corresponding
period in 2019, largely driven by revaluation gains on investment properties.
However, three (3) DTMFIs reported losses during the six months ended 30
June 2020, due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled
with the prevailing adverse operating environment.

Performance of credit only microfinance institution
49. Microfinance business remained generally subdued over the half-year to June
2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing
protocols which have reduced the demand for microfinance loans and client

visits as most of the microfinance clients, in particular, the micro, small and
medium enterprises remain largely closed for business.

50. Most credit-only microfinance institutions did not have robust business
continuity plans and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted
microfinance business operations. The situation was exacerbated by lack of
robust ICT systems and digital platforms, particularly among the credit-only
microfinance institutions which in turn has militated against effective and
efficient delivery of microfinance services.

51. Preliminary COVID-19 impact assessment reports submitted by both creditonly institutions indicate that the pandemic is expected to have a significant
impact on microfinance business in Zimbabwe. The credit only microfinance
institutions face a myriad of challenges emanating from the COVID-19
pandemic. The challenges include liquidity challenges, increased portfolio risk
and inability to underwrite any meaningful business, which in turn has the
potential to impact negatively on the sustainability of the sector.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Review of the Single Obligor Limit

52. In order to enhance support to the productive sector in light of the COVID-19
pandemic, the Bank, temporarily increased the single obligor limit from 25%
to 35%, subject to a banking institution meeting the requirements of the
Banking Act [Chapter 24:20], the Banking Regulations S.I. 205 of 2000 and
internal policies. The relaxation was with effective 21 May 2020.

53. Banking institutions are currently submitting quarterly reports on all facilities
granted in excess of the single obligor limits.

Proposed Changes to the Legal Framework
54. In line with its mandate of promoting financial stability, the Bank continued to
strengthen the regulatory framework and direct its supervisory efforts towards
the promotion of a safe, stable and sound financial system in Zimbabwe.

55. The Bank is working with the Deposit Protection Corporation and Ministry of
Finance and Economic Development to consider further enhancing banking
laws on cross-border banking, bank resolution and crisis management to align
it with good practices.

56. The proposed amendments to the Banking Regulations S. I. 205 of 2000, to
provide for matters that require to be prescribed under the Banking Act
including the new minimum capital requirements, are under review by the
Attorney General’s Office.

Enhancement of Prudential Standards
57. The Bank continues to monitor implementation of International Financial
Reporting Standard 9, which provides for forward-looking provisioning
requirements and expanded disclosure requirements. The standard
significantly reinforces bank risk management and market discipline.

58. Local regulatory authorities have provided various coordinated responses to
the pandemic in order to mitigate against potential significant increase in credit
risk on previously performing loans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These
measures include loan restructuring and repayment moratorium. In light of
these developments, banking institutions continue to ensure that underlying
impairment credit risk models are validated annually in accordance with
regulatory requirements.

59. In further efforts to enhance financial stability, the Bank developed a
Framework for Domestic Systemically Important Banking Institutions, which
was issued in March 2020. The framework articulates relevant regulatory
measures for the identification, monitoring and management of systemic risks
arising from the distress of local systemically important institutions.

60. The Bank has developed a framework for the implementation of Basel III
Liquidity Standards, covering Liquidity Coverage and Net Stable Funding
ratios. The framework is designed to enhance local metrics for the management
of liquidity risk, aligning them with international best practice.

Supervisory Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
61. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to unprecedented challenges that have
affected virtually every aspect of modern life. Economic uncertainties and risks
to overall banking sector’s soundness increased during the first half of 2020,
reflecting partly the impact of COVID-19 containment measures.

62. On 23 March 2020, Statutory Instrument 76/2020 – Declaration of State of
Disaster - COVID-19 was issued. The COVID-19 Prevention, Containment
and Treatment Regulations SI 77/2020 were simultaneously issued with the
declaration of national disaster. The Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention,
Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020, was
published on the 29 March 2020 in Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, declaring
a national lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 formidable
infectious disease.

63. Following these national measures, the Bank implemented regulatory and
supervisory measures to maintain financial stability. These measures were

aimed at ensuring that banking institutions are able to continue to support the
real economy, while minimizing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the
sector.

64. The Bank issued Circular 02/2020 providing guidance on enforcing social
distancing and enhanced hygiene practices to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Banking institutions were required to promote digital banking and ensure that
adequate business continuity measures were in place.

65. In addition, Circular 03/2020 was issued by the Bank providing further
guidance and measures including restructuring of facilities of customers
negatively affected by the pandemic. Banks were directed to ensure that
consideration is given only to facilities that were performing prior to the
challenges associated with the COVID-19.

66. The banking sector has also implemented various strategies to cushion its
customers and maintain stability and these include moratoria and/or reduction
in service fees. Despite restrictions on movement during the National
Lockdown, banks ensured that the banking public continued to access banking
services through the medium of digital platforms.

67. Banking institutions submitted their business continuity plans to the Bank and
activated their business continuity arrangements, which entailed banks
operating with minimum number of staff to ensure customers continue to
access selected banking services.

68. As institutions implemented their business continuity arrangements, banking
halls were temporarily closed to ensure that both customers and employees are
protected from the spread of the disease. As the nation moved to Level 2 of the

COVID-19 lockdown effective 4 May 2020, banking institutions opened most
branches to ensure that customers continue to access banking services.

69. Further, with the recent surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, a number of
banking institutions are temporarily closing some branches to facilitate deep
cleaning and disinfecting of branches and testing of staff members. Banking
clients are being encouraged to make use of digital platforms.

70. A preliminary analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed
general slowdown in business volumes, constraints in meeting loan
repayments particularly in the MSME and informal sectors and increased costs
attributable to the COVID-19 protection measures for both staff and clients.

Capital Bank Corporation Limited (Under Provisional Liquidation)
71. Capital Bank was placed under provisional liquidation on 30 January 2019.
The Provisional Liquidator is pursuing confirmation of the liquidation order,
as well as verification of assets and liabilities of the institution.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION
72. Implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2016 – 2020),
through various initiatives targeting previously marginalized segments is now
in its final year. The Bank is in the process of conducting a review of the first
phase of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS). The report, together
with the results of pending formal independent reviews will inform the
development of the NFIS Phase II.

73. The first phase of the Strategy implementation has come to an end at a time
when the world is gripped with the COVID-19 pandemic, which is threatening
to reverse the financial inclusion gains that had been registered particularly for

vulnerable low-income groups. Targeted priority segments under the Strategy
are experiencing cash flow challenges as a result of lock-down measures
imposed to prevent the uncontrollable spread of the virus.

74. The pandemic has necessitated new business models, which call for intensive
training on the required new skills, including online marketing. Further, the
unavoidable job losses are likely to result in growth of the informal sector.
Relevant policy actors and stakeholders are urged to optimally coordinate
efforts and render appropriate targeted support to minimise suffering of those
affected.

75. Further, the pandemic has presented an opportunity for Government to
accelerate formalization and sustainability of the MSMEs sector during and
post-COVID-19 period. As part of interventions to compensate for loss of
income during the COVID-19 lockdown periods, Government established a
ZW$18 billion economic stimulus package aimed at providing liquidity
support to the productive sectors including registered micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs).

76. Financial inclusion has proven to be a powerful solution in times of health and
economic crises hence NFIS implementing stakeholders are urged to continue
to strengthen their efforts to financially include the vulnerable segments of our
population.

Financial Inclusion Indicators
77. Supply-side data collected by the Bank from the banking sector continues to
reflect an upward trajectory in the levels of access to financial services by the
lower income and under-served segments as shown in the table below.

Table 14: Financial Inclusion Indicators – December 2016 to June 2020
Indicator
Dec 2016
Dec 2017
Dec 2018
June 2019
Dec 2019
March

June

MSMEs
Value of loans to MSMEs (ZW)
$131.69m $146.22m
$169.96m
$178.92m
$462.98m
$1,457.47b
$2,899.69b
MSMEs loans as % of total loans 3.57%

Number of MSMEs with bank
accounts

Women
Number of Bank Accounts held
by Women

Value of Loans to Women (ZW)
$277.30m
$310.78m
$432.36m
$446.40m
$586.74m
$841.19m

$1,183.16m
Loans to women as a % of total
loans

Youth
Number of Loans to Youth

Value of Loans to Youth (ZW)
$58.41m
$138.93m
$104.43m
120.68m
$188.71m
$669.51m
$964.86m
loans to the youth as a % of total
loans


78. There was, however, a notable drop in the number of loans to youth (12.91%)
during the quarter ending 30 June 2020, which is attributable to the COVID19 induced lockdown.

CREDIT INFRASTRUCTURE
Credit Registry
79. The Bank and credit bureaus continued to improve the credit referencing
environment during the period under review. Credit reporting systems have
been increasingly embraced by banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs) and
other non-financial institutions. The Bank has successfully tested a monitoring
module, which is expected to further promote credit risk management in the
sector as lenders are automatically notified about significant changes or
updates on selected customers such as new facilities or repayments to other
lenders.

80. Banks and MFIs continued to utilise the Credit Registry for loan application
screening purposes and ongoing credit risk management during the period
under review, albeit with a notable decline during the month of April as the
national lockdown commenced. The utilisation trend for the past two years is
indicated in Figure 14 below:

Figure 14: Quarterly Credit Registry Inquiries by Banks and MFIs

81. The Reserve Bank is continuously encouraging the banks to make use of
technology when assessing credit worthiness of borrowers. One such
technology is the use of Application Programming Interfaces.

Collateral Registry
82. The implementation of the Collateral Registry awaits completion of the
procurement process, which was delayed as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic.

83. Once implemented, the Collateral Registry is expected to enable households
and MSME`s to leverage on their movable assets to access funding from formal
financial institutions.

FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY
84. As part of measures to promote the adoption of financial technologies, the
Bank is set to operationalise the Regulatory Sandbox Framework after a
consultative process with major stakeholders. The framework will be issued to
the market for comments before being finalised and rolled out later in the year.

85. The framework will outline the qualification, application and evaluation
criterion for entities to be admitted into the sandbox. The sandbox provides an
opportunity for innovators to connect to banks and other financial system
players.

NATIONAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENTS

86. Aggregate values and volumes of national payment systems transactions for
the year to date ending June 2020 amounted to ZW$1 trillion and 2.5 billion,
respectively.

87. RTGS system transactions values and volumes increased by 54% to ZW$91.3
billion from ZW$59.3 billion and 36% to 0.9 million from 0.6 million in June
2020, respectively from the previous month.

88. Tables 15 and 16 below show the monthly transactional activities in the
respective payment streams for the preceding twelve months ending June 2020:

Table 15: NPS Transactional Values July 2019 –June 2020
MONTH
VALUES IN Z$ BILLIONS


RTGS Card
ATM POS Mobile
Internet
Values
Total
Total
Change
Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

TOTAL


Table 16: NPS Transactional Volumes (in millions) July 2019 –June 2020
MONTH
RTGS
Card
ATM
POS
Mobile Internet
Total
Volumes
Total
Chang
e
Jul-19

Aug-19

Sep-19

Oct-19

Nov-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

Feb-20

Mar-20

Apr-20

May-20

Jun-20

TOTAL


*The cheque has not been a preferred payment instrument during the COVID19 lockdown period.

RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE
AUGUST 2020