economy

Bank of Russia Lowers Key Interest Rate to 16%

December 19, 2025 TASS Russian News Agency
Bank of Russia Lowers Key Interest Rate to 16%

The Bank of Russia lowered the key interest rate to 16% amid a slowdown in price growth rates.

SUMMARY

The Bank of Russia lowered the key interest rate to 16% per annum, noting a slowdown in price growth rates, an increase in inflation expectations, and continued high lending activity.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Key interest rate reduced by 50 basis points to 16% per annum.
  • Current price growth rates decreased in November.
  • Inflation expectations have risen in recent months.
  • Lending activity remains high.

CORE SUBJECT

Bank of Russia's Key Interest Rate Reduction

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia has lowered the key interest rate by 50 basis points to 16% per annum amid a slowdown in current price growth rates, but noted an increase in inflation expectations.

"The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia has decided to reduce the key interest rate by 50 basis points to 16.00% per annum. The economy continues to return to a balanced growth trajectory. The basic indicators of current price growth decreased in November. However, inflation expectations have risen in recent months. Lending activity remains high," the regulator said in a press release.

KEYWORDS

Bank of Russia key interest rate inflation economy lending

MENTIONED ENTITIES 2

Bank of Russia

🏛️ Organization

Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Moscow

📍 Location_City

Capital of the Russian Federation

NOTABLE QUOTES 1

"The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia has decided to reduce the key interest rate by 50 basis points to 16.00% per annum. The economy continues to return to a balanced growth trajectory. The basic indicators of current price growth decreased in November. However, inflation expectations have risen in recent months. Lending activity remains high."

— Bank of Russia 2025-12-19

Context: Bank of Russia press release on key interest rate reduction

KEY DECISIONS 1

Reduction of the key interest rate by 50 basis points to 16% per annum

Decision Maker: Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia
Status: approved
Announced: 2025-12-19
Impact Areas:
economy financial market inflation