The Bulgarian National Bank has lowered the base interest rate for the second consecutive month. As of August 1, it stands at 3.53%, down from 3.63% in July. Since the end of 2023, the base interest rate has been gradually falling. From February 2016 to September 2022, the base interest rate was 0.00%. On October 1, 2022, the rate went up to 0.49%.
As of June 30, the net profit of the banking system for 2024 was EUR 0.9 billion, representing a 7.1% increase compared to the first six months of 2023, according to BNB statistics. Over a quarter of the income comes from fees and commissions. Banks earned EUR 1.6 billion from interest on loans in the first half of the year and paid out EUR 290 million in interest on deposits. Bank assets increased by over EUR 1 billion or 1.2% in the first half of 2024. Losses have risen by EUR 46 million to EUR 139 million, representing a 50.1% increase compared to the first six months of 2023.
The overall business climate indicator in Bulgaria has increased in December by 1.7 points from 17 percent to 18.7% compared to November . An increase in the indicator was observed in the industry sector by 1.9 points, in retail trade by 5.7 points and..
The National Assembly postponed the discussion and voting of the most important fiscal law of the land – the national budget for 2025 – for next year. “If we do not have an approved budget by 19 January, then everything in the country will grind to a..
41% of the member companies of the Bulgarian Industrial Association expect an economic decline in 2025. 21% believe there will be no change compared to 2024. 65% of the respondents anticipate a deterioration in their own business due to the..
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