	spain deregulates bank deposit  rates spain s finance ministry deregulated bank deposit rates in an effort to raise competition among banks and bring legislation into line with the european community ec a ministry spokesman said the measure was published today in the official state gazette it takes effect tomorrow and lifts restrictions on rates now limited to six pct on deposits of up to days the government also enacted a decree cutting to one pct from pct the proportion of total assets which banks must lend at favourable rates to industries classified of public  some bankers expect the deregulation of rates to result in a pct drop in profits this year secretary of state for the economy guillermo de la dehesa told reuters in a recent interview the reduction in fixed asset investments would offset losses from the rate liberalisation reuter 
