First-quarter revenue from premiums of Hungarian insurers inched up 0.5% year-on-year to HUF 572 billion, data released by the National Bank of Hungary (MNB), and reviewed by MTI, show. Revenue from premiums on life insurance policies decreased 8.5% to HUF 212 billion. Revenue from premiums on general insurance policies climbed 6.7% to HUF 360 billion. […]
The statutory objectives of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) include, directly and indirectly, the support of environmental sustainability, the central bank said in a statement on the occasion of World Environment Day. The effects of climate change can spread through various transmission channels into the economic and financial system, affect inflation, foreign exchange reserve […]
The Hungarian banking system continued to be characterized by high profitability, ample liquidity and a strong capital position in 2025, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) says in an analysis released this week. In the fresh biannual Financial Stability Report, the central bank and financial market regulator points out that the ratio of non-performing loans […]
The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issued a commemorative coin for the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) on Wednesday. Central bank governor Mihaly Varga acknowledged the important role MKIK plays fostering ties between business sectors and said the commemorative coin signalled commitment to professional solidarity among […]
Home prices in Hungary rose 23.5% year-on-year in 2025, climbing at the fastest pace in the past 25 years, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) highlighted in a report published on Wednesday. In real terms, home prices increased 19.0% last year. In the fourth quarter of 2025, home prices were 22.5% higher than the level […]
Meeting the criteria necessary for joining the eurozone is in Hungary's interest, but adopting the common currency should not be seen as "an end in itself," Mihály Varga, the governor of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB), said at a conference in Budapest. Opening the 11th Lámfalussy Conference, Mihály Varga said the time for Hungary […]
General government consolidated gross debt at nominal value was 77,9% of GDP, amounting to HUF 69,012 billion, at the end of 2026 Q1. According to preliminary financial accounts data, general government net lending was equal to -5.6% (HUF -4,964 billion) of Hungary’s GDP in the four quarters to 2026 Q1. General government net lending amounted […]
Hungary's current account had a EUR 715 million surplus in March, widening from a EUR 125 million surplus in the previous month, preliminary monthly data released by the National Bank of Hungary (NBH) on Friday show. The trade surplus reached EUR 1.073 billion, as the balances for both trade in goods and services showed surpluses […]
Hungary's banking system is capable of boosting its lending to HUF 40,000 billion, National Bank of Hungary (NBH) governor Mihály Varga said at a conference organized by business news portal Portfolio on Tuesday. Local banks' liquidity position is stable and their lending capacity is sufficient, Varga told the conference on lending. The latest data from […]
Conflicting trends are emerging among the world’s central banks. Several countries are rapidly increasing their gold reserves, while others are forced to sell. Geopolitical risks, pressure in the foreign exchange market and deliberate reserve management decisions are driving this process. Hungary's gold reserves lost a lot of value very quickly. In 2026, emerging economies in […]
The Monetary Council of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) left the base rate unchanged at 6.25% after reviewing the latest economic and financial developments. The O/N deposit rate and the O/N lending rate also remained unchanged, at 5.25% and 7.25%, respectively. The central bank will continue to ensure positive real interest rates in order […]
Hungary's commercial property market is past its cyclical low point, but weak economic growth is holding back a recovery and geopolitical uncertainty is weighing on outlooks, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) said in a report on the market released on Tuesday. The report augurs an increase in the vacancy rates on the office and […]
International reserves of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) stood at EUR 58.732 billion at the end of March, down EUR 1.132 billion from a month earlier, data released by the central bank show. Stock of cash, deposits and securities in the reserves rose by EUR 2.824 billion to EUR 40.693 billion, while stock of […]
András Kármán, the election-winning Tisza Party's expert on budget and tax policy, met National Bank of Hungary Governor Mihály Varga, at the latter's invitation. András Kármán said on Facebook that the parties agreed that the financial markets reacted favorably to Tisza's election win, but added that developments in Iran and the resulting energy price hikes […]
According to the monthly balance of payments data released by the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) on Monday, the country’s balance of payments with foreign countries turned positive in February. The combined balance of the current account and the capital account turned to a surplus of EUR 317 million in February, according to preliminary data, […]
