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July 10 – July 16, 2017

Gradual depreciation of national currency unlikely to boost demand for currency from population

The situation has not changed

According to the National Bank, in June 2017, private rouble deposits increased by BYN 22.4 million, despite the BYN depreciation against the US Dollar by 3.7% per month. The US Dollar rate for the Belarusian population is a marker for estimating the volume of own savings; sharp changes in the exchange rate of the national currency significantly boost the demand for hard currency. Lower inflation and strengthening of the Belarusian rouble in January – May 2017 reduced devaluation risks of the population. The volume of private rouble deposits in the banking system is likely to decline due to lower interest rates on deposits. Interest rate policy on deposits is unlikely to change due to excess liquidity. A significant increase in corporate demand for rouble funds is unlikely due to the persistence of stringent requirements by banks to clients’ solvency. The major risk is a possible weakening of the Russian rouble, which makes 50% in the basket of currencies. Should such risks materialise, the National Bank would strengthen the national currency, in order to reduce the growth rate of the US Dollar and Euro to the Belarusian rouble.

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