The Impact rising interest rates has on employee wellness

Loading player...
Rising interest rates have been the bane of everyday people for a while now and it looks like they are going to keep rising. This is a worldwide problem, so South Africa can simply add it to the list of economic woes cascading into household budgets. The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has increased the prime lending rate by 50-basis points from 10.75% to 11.25%. This decision will likely impact all South African consumers in one way or another – the vast majority of which are an employee in somebody’s business.

According to Hugh Hacking, Head of Structured Investments and Annuities at Momentum Corporate, higher interest rates impact businesses because they impact their employees. “In organisations, higher interest rates mean higher borrowing costs, leading to decreased profits and cash flow. This can, in turn, lead to a decline in investment and expansion, which can have destructive implications for employment growth and morale,” Hacking says.
3 Apr 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

BofA Slashes SA Growth Forecast as Inflation Surges

Bank of America has cut South Africa’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.3%, warning that higher oil and fertilizer prices will keep inflation above 4% for most of the year. Economist Tatonga Rusike explains
23 Apr 3PM 11 min

Understanding SA’s First Wealth Score

Franc unveils South Africa’s first-ever Wealth Score, revealing that financial habits—not income—are the strongest predictor of financial health. We unpack why SA’s national score is 45/100 and the behavior gap between knowing and doing with Dr. Thomas Brennan, founder and CEO of Franc.
23 Apr 3PM 13 min

Clicks Lifts HEPS 8% Despite Warehouse Disruptions.

Clicks delivered firm interim results with diluted HEPS up 8.1%, even as warehouse system delays cost an estimated R175 million in lost sales. CEO Bertina Engelbrecht discusses pharmacy growth, trading margins, and festive‑season competition.
23 Apr 2PM 16 min