The gross size of the Asian dollarmarket contracted to 197.2 billion U.S. Dlrs in January, down
3.4 billion dlrs from December, reflecting a decline in
interbank activity, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
said in its latest monthly bulletin.
    The assets stood at 151.7 billion dlrs in January last
year.
    MAS said interbank lending fell in January to 140.9 billion
dlrs from 146.6 billion in December but rose from 102.0 billion
in january 1986 and interbank deposits to 154.0 billion against
159.4 and 117.1 billion, respectively.
    Loans to non-bank customers increased to 40.1 billion dlrs
in January from 38.7 billion in December and 36.9 billion in
January, 1986.
    Deposits of non-bank customers also increased in January to
34.9 billion from 33.8 billion a month ago and 27.7 billion a
year ago. REUTER
