Fast on the heels of an issue of two local certificates of deposit that close on Tuesday, 18 June 2013, Jamaica’s central bank, the Bank of Jamaica, announces the offer of another special money market instrument commencing Thursday, 20 June 2013. The instrument, a 365-day US-Dollar Indexed Note due 2014 and is extended to all primary dealers and commercial banks.
The term sheet will be circulated via electronic mail to these institutions on Wednesday, 19 June 2013. A check with the BOJ did not disclose the terms of the issue other than what has been released but IC Insider gathers that the use of this instrument is to provide an alternative instrument for investment purposes without affecting the demand for foreign exchange. IC Insider can report that at least one big bank is rationing US dollars to $2,000 per day per person.
The central bank says in a release that it will continue to offer its regular 30-day Certificate of Deposit at the current interest rate of 5.75 per cent per annum. In addition, the current offers of variable rate Certificate of Deposits will remain open until Tuesday, 18 June 2013, as originally advised and will continue to monitor conditions in the financial markets and adjust its market operations to maintain stability.