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ECB To Revise Monetary Policy Strategy Post-Summer

The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing for its next strategic review of monetary policy, set to begin after the summer holidays in August. This revision, conducted in collaboration with the 20 national central banks of the eurozone, aims to shape future actions on interest rates and crisis responses. Unlike the extensive 2021 review, this assessment will likely be shorter and more focused, incorporating lessons from recent economic crises and inflation dynamics.

The ECB’s previous review in 2021 redefined price stability and influenced policy implementation, maintaining a symmetrical 2% inflation target. As the ECB navigates post-crisis policy adjustments, this forthcoming review will address new economic challenges, including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainties, and structural changes like climate change and population ageing.

Significant attention will be given to the ECB’s flexibility in policy responses and the effectiveness of its tools, such as quantitative easing. The review will also consider enhancing communication strategies to better address economic forecasts and investor expectations.

With a clear timeline and preparatory steps underway, the ECB aims to present its findings by the second half of 2025. This strategic review underscores the ECB’s commitment to evolving its monetary policy framework to ensure economic stability and growth across the eurozone.

Interest rates on housing loans up and down on deposits

Cypriot banks raised mortgage rates in August while cutting interest on one-year deposits for households, according to data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

Meanwhile, the total value of new loans dropped sharply in August, falling by 33 per cent compared to July.

The latest figures, published on Wednesday reveal that the interest rate for short-term deposits by households fell to 1.79 per cent, from 1.96 per cent in July. In contrast, the deposit rate for businesses (non-financial companies) travelled in the opposite direction up to 2.33 per cent in August from 2.28 per cent in the previous month.

Consumer loan rates also saw a small decline, dropping to 6.59 per cent from 6.67 per cent in the previous month. Mortgage rates rose marginally to 4.65 per cent, from 4.59 per cent.

Rates for businesses, on loans €1 million also fell to 5.36 per cent from 5.61 per cent. For loans

above €1 million the rate fell to 5.42 per cent from 5.64 per cent.

In terms of new loans, there was a marked drop across the board. Total new loans fell to €395.5 million, down from €596.3 million in July.

Consumer loans also fell with net new loans at €19m, compared to July’s €28m (€26.1m net).

Loans for house purchases also declined significantly, falling to €95.6m, of which €72.3m were net new loans, down from €134.3m (€100.7m net) in July.

New loans of under a million euro to businesses decreased to €52.8m (€34.1m net), down from €75.5m in July (€49.5m net).

Similarly, loans of over a million euros were halved to €179.3m (€78.3m net), compared to €345.2m (€211.8m net) in the previous month.

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