Debtfree DIGI March 2016 | Page 9

INDUSTRY CONSUMER NEWS FLASH For daily debt counselling news in 3 minutes or less visit www.debtfreedigi.co.za REPO RATE CLIMBS In March, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced that due to pressures on the economy (including a higher than hoped for inflation rate) and weakening national currency the Reserve Bank had decided to push up the rate to 7%. This follows on the heels of similar hikes over the last few months in reaction to the world and local economy and is not expected to be the last increase this year. LEWIS GET GO AHEAD Last year, Lewis Stores announced their intention to purchase Beares and Ellerines (for something of a bargain from their struggling parent company). It has taken until this month for all the red tape by the