Russia raises rate 650 bps to 17.0 pct to protect ruble

    Russia's central bank surprised financial markets by raising its key policy rate by 650 basis points to 17.0 percent to limit the depreciation of the ruble currency and curb inflation.
    The rate rise by the Bank of Russia comes less than a week after it raised its rate by 100 basis points to 10.50 percent during a scheduled meeting of its board of directors. The Russian central bank has now raised its rate by 1,150 basis points this year.

    The Bank of Russia issued the following statement:

"From 16 December 2014 the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to raise the Bank of Russia key rate to 17.00 percent per annum. This decision is aimed at limiting substantially increased ruble depreciation risks and inflation risks.

From 16 December 2014 in order to strengthen the efficiency of monetary policy loans secured by non-marketable assets or guarantees for 2 to 549 days will be provided at a floating interest rate, set at the Bank of Russia key rate level, increased by 1.75 percentage points (up to the present these loans for 2 to 90 days were provided at fixed rate).

Moreover, for further expanse of credit institution ability to manage their foreign exchange liquidity it was decided to increase maximum allotment amount for 28-dayFX REPO auctions from 1.5 to 5.0 billion USD and to conduct 12-month FX REPO auctions on weekly basis."

    www.CentralBankNews.info