What’s going on here?

HUNDREDS of thousands of lower income earners in Singapore are to be given greater access to relatively small unsecured loans from banks.

(Straits Times, 26 Feb, Page A3)

Credit card debt hit an estimated $3.4 billion last December, the highest for that month in 20 years.  More people have also sought help in settling their outstanding bills.

(Straits Times, 26 Feb, Front Page “HOME”)