Government has urged banks to lower lending rates to women and youth entrepreneurs.

Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe says this is because women have a good credit score due to their financial discipline while young people are likely to be clients for the bank for a long time.

And Mrs. Mwanakatwe says government will continue growing the economy so that the banking and other sectors can thrive.

She however says government will rely on the banks to make their contributions towards the growth of the economy.

Mrs. Mwanakatwe said this during the First National Bank -FNB- 10th Anniversary celebrations.

And FNB Chief Executive Officer Leonard Haynes said the Bank will continue coming up with various innovations to benefit customers.