Singapore interest rates rise ahead of Fed’s decision

SINGAPORE – Local interest rates are inching up and investors are on edge as the countdown to Thursday’s decision by the United States Federal Reserve begins in earnest.

It is widely expected that the Fed will raise interest rates from near-zero levels – the first such rise in nine years – and the effects are already rippling through Singapore’s financial and currency markets.

The greenback has strengthened against the Singdollar. More importantly, for mortgage holders and business owners, the cost of lending is going up….

Points to ponder: As cost of lending is going up, will it further dampen the mood in the real estate sector in Singapore and will it affect the property prices?