BNR keeps key interest rate at 6.50%
The National Bank of Romania's (BNR) Board of Directors decided on Monday to maintain the key interest rate at 6.50% per annum in its first monetary policy meeting of the year.
The National Bank of Romania's (BNR) Board of Directors decided on Monday to maintain the key interest rate at 6.50% per annum in its first monetary policy meeting of the year.
The beginning of 2026 will bring lower mortgage interest rates in Romania, both for fixed rates (over 98% of current loans) and variable rates, according to a market report by online broker Ipotecare.ro and financial consultant SVN Romania Credit & Financial Solutions.
Romanian 10-year euro-denominated bonds currently trade at a yield of 5.96%, representing a 351-basis point (bps) spread over German Bunds, which equals to 3.51% over Germany.
Investors are anxiously eyeing the tariff-related decisions Donald Trump may make once he reaches the Oval Office in the White House.
ECB will continue to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, although a more aggressive cut of 50 basis points would be more justified given the fragile economic situation.
Emerging market currencies are going to be under pressure until at least the third quarter of 2024.

Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of RON 14.23 billion (€2.86 billion) - 0.70% of GDP, in the first two months of 2026, half the RON 30.24 billion deficit (€2.86 billion) - 1.58% of GDP from the same period in 2025.
Electrica's Board of Directors has approved new four-year mandates for its top executive leadership following a meeting on 27 March.
Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) announced on Friday the reconfirmation of Romania's country rating at BBB (foreign currency) and BBB+ (local currency) and improved the outlook from negative to stable.
State-owned power producer Hidroelectrica achieved total investments of RON 781 million (€157 million) in 2025, up 32% compared to 2024, representing the company's best investment volume in years.
Verne, Pony.ai and Uber Technologies have announced a partnership to launch Europe's first commercial robotaxi service, beginning in Zagreb with initial deployment work already underway, including public-road validation.