STARTING January 2009, Sartika’s monthly expense has increased by Rp239,000. This is because the 34-year-old’s monthly housing credit installment (KPR) has increased. Bank CIMB Niaga, where she took out the loan, raised the interest rate from 11.9 to 16.4 percent.

This is the second increase experienced by the mother of one since she became a CIMB Niaga customer three years ago. When the credit agreement was signed in 2006, she enjoyed a f