WILLEMSTAD - During a press conference, the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) announced that it wants commercial banks to grant fewer loans. These local banks have too much money and lend it to the consumer more easily.

This is not desirable in a poorly functioning economy. The commercial banks now have to park 19 percent of their money at the Central Bank.

In addition, the banks can deposit money more often by purchasing deposit certificates, whereby they can bid on the interest themselves.