Romania's Central Bank rises its key rate by 0.25 points to 9.75%

Romania’s National Bank (BNR) decided to rise its key rate, for the fifth time consequently by 0.25 points to 9.75% and maintain its minimum mandatory reserve rates applicable to national and foreign currency accounts.

The increase will be applied starting May 7, an official press release of the institution informs. The central bank will continue to manage liquidities on the monetary market through its market operations.

The bank’s key rate reached 9.75% after being increased five times in a row from 7% over the past seven months. Bank experts argue that the decision was taken due to high inflation rates and an increase in food prices. The annual inflation rate amounted to 8.6% in March this year.