Deputy governor Phạm Thanh Hà said domestic interest-rate increases were slowing at an October 7 briefing, VnExpress reports. As of September 20, the average rate on newly originated loans was 6.35%, up 1.15 percentage points from the previous year-end. The State Bank of Vietnam plans to maintain its policy rates while asking lenders to seek lower funding costs and support lending rates. The 6.35% figure is a statistical average for new loans, not a uniform rate applying to every contract.