NBH rate-setters keep base rate unchanged
The Monetary Council also decided to keep the central bank’s O/N deposit rate at 5.75% and the O/N collateralised loan rate at 7.75%.
The Monetary Council also decided to keep the central bank’s O/N deposit rate at 5.75% and the O/N collateralised loan rate at 7.75%.
The Council said inflation data was consistent with the projection in the June Inflation Report.
The council also acknowledged that the inflation outlook had improved in the past quarter.
At a regular policy meeting on Tuesday, the Council also decided to lower the symmetric interest rate corridor in tandem, bringing the O/N deposit rate to 6.25% and the O/N...
The Council also decided to lower the symmetric interest rate corridor in tandem, bringing the O/N deposit rate to 6.75% and the O/N collateralised loan rate to 8.75%.
The NBH has lowered its forecast for 2024 average annual inflation to 3.5-5.0% from 4.0-5.5% in the previous report.
Central bank deputy governor Barnabás Virág said lower-than-expected inflation and improved risk perceptions had allowed for the “temporary” acceleration in the easing cycle from 75bp cuts at the previous policy meetings.
The Council also decided to lower the symmetric interest rate corridor in tandem, bringing the O/N deposit rate to 9.00% and the O/N collateralised loan rate to 11.00%.
The NBH forecasts average annual inflation of 17.6-17.7% for 2023, 4.0-5.5% in 2024 and 2.5-3.5% in 2025.
NBH deputy governor Barnabás Virág had flagged a 75 bp cut — the same as at the policy meeting in October — days earlier.
The Monetary Council also decided to lower the symmetric interest rate corridor in tandem, bringing the O/N deposit rate to 11.25% and the O/N collateralised loan rate to 13.25%.
Barnabás Virág said Hungary’s economy had managed to “avoid grave scenarios” and growth remained above the European Union average.
The Council said inflation risks warrant a further tightening of monetary conditions.