Dec 16 (Reuters) – Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina and her deputy Alexei Zabotkin gave a news conference after the central bank left its key rate unchanged at 7.5% on Friday.
The quotes below were translated from Russian by Reuters.
NABIULLINA ON INFLATION
In November and early December, prices rose mainly due to one-off factors – most all of all, the indexation of utility tariffs. But the influence of factors that increase core inflation is increasing and this trend will continue next year.
Annual inflation will continue to slow down in the coming months. When inflation is very volatile, the annual level says little about price pressures, since it is overloaded by past shocks. In the spring, annual inflation may even drop below 4%, but this is not a characterisation of how prices are changing in the here and now.
NABIULLINA ON FUTURE INTEREST RATE DECISIONS
Today there was a broad consensus on holding the key rate. Discussions were held around what signal to give, including a proposal about giving a tighter signal.
We gave a neutral signal. This means the next decision, the trajectory of the rate, will depend on the incoming data, on which factors – pro-inflationary or disinflationary – will prevail.
In our opinion, pro-inflationary factors prevail now, not only over the medium-term, but also over a short-term horizon. Therefore, rate changes will depend on incoming data. It is possible to hold the rate, increase it or decrease it – if disinflationary factors are realised, which we believe are weaker right now.
NABIULLINA ON THE WEST’S OIL EMBARGO
It is difficult to assess the impact it will have. We will try to do this at the February meeting, when we update our forecasts. There will also be more information, including about any retaliatory actions from the Russian side. We will take all this into account in February.
ZABOTKIN ON THE EXCHANGE RATE
The exchange rate is still in the same range in which it has been fluctuating since the beginning of summer, but now at the upper limit of this range. All other things being equal, a significant worsening in the terms of trade means a weaker exchange rate. From the point of view of risks in relation to our baseline forecast, we consider the risks from external conditions as pro-inflationary during 2023.
NABIULLINA ON POSSIBILITY OF EUROPEAN UNION USING RUSSIA’S FROZEN ASSETS AND INTERNATIONAL RESERVES
We cannot comment on how difficult or what the probability would be. But in terms of the work on returning those assets, we are clarifying our legal position. But this is not an easy process.
NABIULLINA ON CAPITAL OUTFLOWS
We are not concerned about the outflow of currency abroad. We do not consider it necessary to take any special measures in this regard. These funds will return to the Russian banking sector as confidence in macroeconomic stability and in price stability grows. Therefore, our task is to ensure that price stability, return inflation to the target of 4%, so that people have less reason to worry that their savings in roubles will be eaten up by inflation. We believe it is necessary to achieve this on the basis of economic incentives and market-based initiatives.
NABIULLINA ON THE SALE OF OTKRITIE BANK
As for the sale of Otkritie, it is in the final stages. We confirm our intention to complete the transaction by the end of this year.
When we had to take over Otkritie and perform the function as an owner, we considered this a temporary situation and said that it was necessary to exit the position of ownership as soon as possible. We are a regulator and a supervisory authority, therefore owning a bank is not normal.
As soon as we improved the bank we immediately began to prepare to sell it. We were going to sell it on the market, including at a possible IPO, but due to the change in the situation, that has become almost impossible. We believe this transaction will ensure the development of the banking sector without the participation of the central bank as an owner.
NABIULLINA ON BANKING SECTOR PERFORMANCE
As for 2022 financial results, it is premature to give specific estimates, but I can say that the banking sector has reduced its losses, compared to the level in the middle of the summer. Many banks have reached profitability – most banks have reached profitability, therefore we expect the banking sector to be profitable in 2023.
NABIULLINA ON RUSSIA’S FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES
Our gold and foreign exchange reserves are sufficient. We do not have the task of specially accumulating gold and foreign exchange reserves.
We decided to have two parts of our reserves – one in case of a financial crisis and the other to account for geopolitical scenarios. As a result, we now have a sufficient amount of funds in both yuan and gold, and there is no need to accumulate more.
The bank’s next rate-setting meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2023.
(This story has been corrected to fix Zabotkin’s quote (forecast for 2023, not next 2-3 years and “worsening” not “improvement” in terms of trade)
Reporting by Reuters
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
