More Loans, Better Payment Terms in China After Tremor

Beijing, China (AHN) - Banks in earthquake-struck China are offering more loans, with easier repayment terms on credit cards for victims of the 7.9-magnitude tremor that shook the country last May 12.

Zhang Yun, Vice President of the Agricultural Bank of China, said that three-quarter mortgage loans will be extended to six quarters.

The Sichuan government also announced Tuesday that the quake's death toll in the worst-hit province had reached nearly 40,000.

Sichuan Vice Governor Li Chengyun had said that there were 39,577 confirmed deaths in hard-hit Sichuan province. Another 236,359 were injured, he added.