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 World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a €544 million Development Policy Loan to support Romania's efforts to restore fiscal sustainability, enable private sector-led growth and foster job creation.
Etem Gestamp, the Sofia-based joint venture between Viohalco Group and Spain's Gestamp Group, has signed a 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Rezolv Energy, the Actis-backed independent power producer.
Raiffeisen Bank has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Garanti BBVA Group Romania, including Garanti Bank and leasing unit Motoractive IFN, from subsidiaries of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria.
JTI announced a €300 million investment to build a new factory in Ștefăneștii de Jos, Ilfov County.
Parapet, an EPC contractor in the renewable energy sector, has appointed Roxana Gureanu as CEO, as the company experiences rapid growth and international expansion.