The Government Housing Bank (GHB) has announced an enhanced support program for its customers affected by COVID-19 under Measure 5. After a 4-month deferment of principal and interest payments, the bank will waive the interest accrued during this period for its customers.

At the end of the loan term, this applies to all customer groups with a total loan limit not exceeding 3 million baht and a monthly income of no more than 35,000 baht, covering 1.1 million accounts, including both standard accounts and those in default or legal status. The bank has prepared a budget of 10 billion baht for Measure 6, which includes a 4-month deferment of principal payments and a reduction of interest to 1.00% per annum for "medical and public health personnel" who express their interest in the program via the Mobile Application: GHB ALL from April 13 to April 30, 2020.

Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, Managing Director of GHB, stated that GHB has initiated the "GHB Helps Thai People Build the Nation" project in line with the policy of Dr. Uttama Savanayana, Minister of Finance, to alleviate the burden of housing loan repayments for customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 10, 2020, the bank announced Measure 5, which included a 4-month deferment of principal and interest payments.

Recently, the bank's board, led by Chairman Mr. Parinya Patthanapakkadee, approved an enhancement of support for customers affected by COVID-19 under Measure 5. Previously, customers were required to gradually repay the interest accrued during the 4-month deferment within 24 months. This has now changed so that after the 4-month deferment, customers will not need to repay the interest for those 4 months. Instead, they will continue to make payments based on the original interest rate prior to entering the program, and the bank will waive the interest for the 4-month deferment at the end of the loan term, maintaining the primary conditions of the measure for all customer groups with a total loan limit not exceeding 3 million baht and a monthly income of no more than 35,000 baht, covering current low- and middle-income customers eligible for the measure up to 1.1 million accounts.

Both standard accounts and those in default or legal status can participate in the program through the Mobile Application: GHB ALL without needing to visit a branch from April 13 to April 30, 2020.

Additionally, to alleviate the financial burden on medical and public health personnel, who are dedicated to combating and preventing the spread of COVID-19, the bank has prepared a budget of 10 billion baht for Measure 6, which includes a 4-month deferment of principal payments and a reduction of interest to 1.00% per annum for "medical and public health personnel." This covers current customers in professions such as doctors, nurses, medical technicians, radiologists, and pharmacists. Once they have completed their payments according to the conditions, they can revert to the original interest rate as per their contract. Interested individuals can express their interest in the program via the Mobile Application: GHB ALL from April 13 to April 30, 2020.

Customers who do not meet the criteria for any of the bank's measures can submit information regarding their income impact due to COVID-19 through the Mobile Application: GHB ALL, and the bank will seek ways to provide individual relief.

Moreover, those who qualify for income compensation measures for those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak or the 5,000 baht relief measure from the Ministry of Finance are also eligible to utilize GHB's measures. The Application: GHB ALL can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store.

For more details or to follow the bank's news updates, please contact the Customer Service Center (Call Center) at 0-2645-9000, visit the GHB Facebook Fanpage, or check www.ghbank.co.th.