Although there are guesses of higher interest rates in the United States, local banks have no intention of raising interest rates, a senior banker in Macao said.

Considering the fact that Hong Kong and Macao are undergoing economic recovery, the banks do not expect to raise interest rates, said Zhu Chi, general manager of the Bank of China Macao Branch.

He noted that banks in Hong Kong and Macao do not always keep in step with the United States.

On the other hand, "the rise of interest rates in the US will definitely affect the economies in Hong Kong and Macao," Zhu Chi said.

Possible rise of interest rates in Hong Kong and Macao will rely on the time and extent of interest rate changes in the United States, the banker said.

As the local currency of pataca in Macao is pegged to Hong Kong dollar, banks in Macao and Hong Kong normally adopt the same banking policies. (Xinhua)