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Banking

Political noise distracts central Europe’s rate-setting

People walk in front of the Polish Central Bank (NBP) building in Warsaw, Poland, September 8, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCentral bank governors under fire from politiciansHungarian government pushes for sharp rate cutsIncoming Polish government seeks to oust governorPoland, Hungary facing years of high inflationWARSAW/BUDAPEST, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The central bank governors of Poland and Hungary are caught up in noisy disputes with opponents over their rate-setting policy, raising new hazards for investors willing to brave central Europe's bitterly polarised politics.In Poland, governor Adam Glapinski stands accused...
Banking

Hungary central bank seen defying government pressure to accelerate rate cuts

BUDAPEST, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The National Bank of Hungary is expected to cut its base rate by another 75 basis points to 11.5% (HUINT=ECI) next Tuesday, a Reuters poll showed, with the bank under pressure from Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government to reduce rates more sharply.With the European Union's highest inflation rate declining, from a high of 25% in the first quarter to a lower-than-forecast 9.9% last month, the NBH has cut borrowing costs by a combined 575 bps since May to 12.25% - still the EU's highest benchmark.Hungary...
Currencies

No ‘big opening’ for rate cuts in central Europe, IMF says

The logo of the Polish Central Bank (NBP) is seen on their building in Warsaw, Poland, September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel Acquire Licensing RightsCEE should maintain tight monetary stance -IMF directorBe ready to raise rates again if needed, he saysPolish, Hungarian CPI to remain among highest in EuropeFiscal policy should also support disinflation -IMFBUDAPEST, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Central Europe's central banks should maintain a tight monetary stance for a "considerable time" to ensure inflation is kept in check, and be ready to raise interest rates again if needed, a...
Economy

Hungary central bank chief, finance minister spar over inflation-hit economy

Hungarian Central Bank Governor Gyorgy Matolcsy speaks during a business conference in Budapest, Hungary, June 9, 2021. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsEGER, Hungary, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Hungary's central bank signalled caution on further rate cuts on Thursday while the government flagged a higher deficit and a new tax on banks to offset a drop in tax revenue as the highest inflation in the European Union hobbles the economy.The suggestion of a new tax on Hungary's banks, about half of which are foreign-owned, sent shares in central Europe's largest...
Banking

Exclusive: EU’s highest inflation to slow to 7-8% by December, Hungary’s finance minister says

No steps on spending needed to contain deficit for now-VargaBut gov't will review in Sept and act if necessaryVarga says he'd like to leave 3.9% deficit target intactStable forint crucial for economic players to plan-ministerCEE states can again be fastest growing EU region-VargaBUDAPEST, July 20 (Reuters) - Hungary's annual inflation will slow to 7-8% by December from 20.1% in June, helping the economy rebound, Finance Minister Mihaly Varga told Reuters, adding that no further measures were needed to contain the budget deficit for now.Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government is struggling...