People
Inflation in Argentina at historic high 21%; government targets 5% by 2019
Argentina is struggling from soaring inflation, which is hovering at 21 percent. The inflation rate is expected to reach 25 percent in 2016. The government is targeting to bring it down to five percent by 2019. The soaring prices are forcing consumers to pay everything in installments.
3 American banks earn $6 bln from overdraft fee, ATM
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America (BoA) and Wells Fargo earned over $6 billion from ATM service and overdraft fees. For the first time, US government in 2015 allowed banks to disclose details from ATM and overdraft fee revenues. The US banking consumers pay in the range of $4 to $5 to withdraw money from an out-of-network ATM.
Drought leaves SA farmers owing $7.5 bln to banks
The debt burden of South African farmers reached to over Rand 125 billion ($7.5 billion). The total debt of farmers was up 14 percent in 2015 to Rand117 billion. Economists alert that the prevailing slump in commodities markets, tighter monetary, fiscal policy, drought conditions and drop in value of Rand will trigger higher than expected inflation rate.
African startups commence 2016 with $10mln investment
Technology startups in Africa may get $10 million funding in early 2016 as Silvertree Capital sees the rosy picture. Silvertree Internet Holdings is keen on scaling technology and commerce companies and has already invested $5 million in business building operations and acquisitions. South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are favored the most among African countries.