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.

The Iran war continues without a clear end, and financial market participants are beginning to consider a scenario where the conflict extends over months rather than weeks, according to an Ebury analysis.
Olympus Foods România has begun construction of a new warehouse at its Brașov Dairy Factory, with an investment of €7.5 million.
Romanians are spending more on cinema experiences as economic pressures drive a shift towards leisure-oriented consumption. Cinema revenues reached approximately €63 million in 2025, up 16% compared to 2024 and around 10% above pre-pandemic levels, according to Colliers data.
Affidea Romania continues its expansion plan in integrated medical services and announces the acquisition of five centres: Phoenix clinics in Bucharest, Arad, Sf. Gheorghe, Sighetu Marmaţiei and GMH Clinic in the capital. The Affidea network now reaches 81 clinics in 33 cities.
Although 86% of organisations plan to increase their artificial intelligence (AI) investments, only 18% can fully leverage this technology, according to an Accenture report.