IMF credit not so cheap after all?
Heti Válasz argues that Hungary is actually not losing money by financing her deficit from the market, rather than from the IMF credit line. The IMF is about to close its Budapest office as Hungary is...
View ArticleMNB extends cheap loan programme
Analysts across the political spectrum ponder the possible implications of the National Bank’s extended lending program, which aims to stimulate economic growth. On Thursday, National Bank president...
View ArticleCentral Banker Matolcsy on FX loans and banks
The leading left-wing daily accuses National Bank chief Matolcsy of compromising judicial independence and the rule of law by calling for retroactive legislation in order to abolish FX loans. A...
View ArticleBanks report modest profit
As two-thirds of banks in Hungary report a profit in 2013 after two years of losses, a conservative columnist points out that contrary to the predictions of left-wing critics of the government, taxes...
View ArticleForeign currency (FX) loans to be eliminated
As the government promises to convert FX loans into Forint credit by the end of the year, analysts wonder how the conversion could and should be carried out. On the basis of the guidelines issued by...
View ArticlePM calls for ’fair banks’
As Parliament passes the law on foreign currency loans and PM Orbán announces a new era of ’fair banks’, the leading left-wing daily calls for an era of fair politics. A conservative columnist on the...
View ArticleFX loan settlement scheme announced
Commentators welcome the government’s decision to convert FX mortgages into Forint loans at market rates. Economy Minister Mihály Varga announced that loans denominated in foreign currencies will be...
View ArticleSwiss Franc soars
In a comment on the shock caused by the decision of the Swiss National Bank to lift the currency cap which pegged the Swiss Franc to the Euro, commentators on both Left and Right praise the...
View ArticleHungary to introduce family bankruptcy
As Christian Democrat MPs table a new bill on family insolvency, a liberal columnist fears that even this scheme will not bail out families in extreme need. A conservative commentator on the other hand...
View ArticleHungary’s credit rating outlook upgraded
As two out of the ‘big four’ upgrade Hungary’s credit rating outlook to positive, commentators ponder the prospects of a future upgrade of Hungarian sovereign debt to investment grade. Last week, both...
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