Rate hikes nearing an end, CBR’s reform ambitions

The Czech central bank’s decision to keep its policy rate on hold this week, while Romania’s hiked rates, is representative of a growing divergence between central banks in the region. We think Poland’s central bank will be the next to end its tightening cycle, while those in Romania and Hungary will remain hawkish for a few months yet. Elsewhere, Russia’s central bank set out a number of potential measures intended to help the financial system, which show that policymakers are seeking to live with Western sanctions for the long haul.