Bi-Weekly Report 14-27 May 2019
ROMANIA
Increased pressure on the Government following the defeat of the PSD in the European Parliamentary elections, together with the jail sentence of its leader on grounds of corruption
The NBR maintains its key rate unchanged at 2.5%
BULGARIA
The ruling GERB party wins the European Parliamentary elections, amid corruption scandals
Lending activity remained strong in Q1:19, supported by easier credit standards
Deposit growth strengthened in Q1:19, in line with solid economic growth
SERBIA
The IMF reached a staff-level agreement with the Serbian authorities on the completion of the 2nd review of the 30- month (non-financing) Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI)
The unemployment rate declined for a 6th successive year to a historical low of 12.7% in FY:18 (below its pre-crisis level)
ALBANIA
The banking sector’s bottom line improved slightly on an annual basis in Q1:19, with ROAE remaining in double digits
APPENDIX: FINANCIAL MARKETS