24 August 2022

Statement of the Monetary Policy Committee 24 August 2022

The Monetary Policy Committee

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Iceland has decided to raise the Bank’s interest rates by 0.75 percentage points. The Bank’s key interest rate – the rate on seven-day term deposits – will therefore be 5.5%.

According to the updated macroeconomic forecast, published in the August Monetary Bulletin, GDP growth looks set to measure nearly 6% this year, some 1.3 percentage points above the May forecast, owing mainly to more robust private consumption growth and a more rapid rebound in tourism than was projected then. Job numbers continue to rise and unemployment to fall, and a wider positive output gap has developed in the domestic economy than was estimated in May.

The inflation outlook has continued to deteriorate. Inflation rose to 9.9% in July and is forecast to peak at nearly 11% late this year. The bleaker inflation outlook reflects stronger economic activity than was forecast in May, as well as more persistent house price inflation and higher global inflation. In addition, inflation expectations have risen even further by most measures.

The MPC considers it likely that the monetary stance will have to be tightened even further so as to ensure that inflation eases back to target within an acceptable time frame. Near-term monetary policy decisions will depend on developments in economic activity, inflation, and inflation expectations. Decisions taken at the corporate level, in the labour market, and in public sector finances will be a major determinant of how high interest rates must rise.

No. 16/2022
24 August 2022

The interest rates will be as follows:

1. Overnight loans 7.25%
2. Seven-day collateralised loans 6.25%
3. Seven-day term deposits 5.50%
4. Current accounts 5.25%

Central Bank of Iceland interest rates and reserve requirements 24 August 2022
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