Swiss central bank hikes interest rate to counter ‘spread of inflation’
The SNB said it was raising its benchmark interest rate to counter “increased inflationary pressure and a further spread of inflation”.
Keystone / Anthony Anex
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) increased its benchmark interest rate on Thursday for the third time this year, taking it to 1%.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/Reuters/sb
Español
es
Suiza sube tasa de interés oficial para contrarrestar “propagación de la inflación”
The SNB increased its policy rate and the rate it charges on sight deposits to 1.0% from the 0.5% level set in September. The move follows a 0.5% interest rate hike by the United States Federal Reserve on Wednesday.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank also raised rates by 0.5% on Thursday.
Switzerland’s inflation rate remained steady at 3% last month, having dropped from a three-decade high of 3.5% in August. This is below the soaring rates of neighbouring European countries but it remains well above the SNB’s target of 0-2% and is expected to remain elevated.
The SNB said it was raising its benchmark interest rate to counter “increased inflationary pressure and a further spread of inflation”.
“It cannot be ruled out that additional rises in the SNB policy rate will be necessary to ensure price stability over the medium term,” the bank said in a statementExternal link on Thursday.
The bank added that it was willing to “be active in the foreign exchange market as necessary” to stop the Swiss franc from appreciating too much against other currencies.
More
More
Explainer: how Switzerland is dealing with rising prices
This content was published on
Inflation is comparatively moderate in Switzerland, but rising energy and food prices are putting a strain on small budgets.
The interest rate hike, which comes as other central banks also tighten policy, took Swiss interest rates to their highest level since the global financial crisis, 14 years ago.
The bank said the increase has been introduced as global growth momentum has continued to slow down. “At the same time, inflation in many countries is markedly above central banks’ targets. Accordingly, numerous central banks have further tightened their monetary policy,” it said.
Swiss interest rates moved into positive territory in September for the first time since 2015. The SNB has now raised rates three times this year.
More
More
The positives and negatives of Swiss interest rates
This content was published on
The winners and losers of the Swiss central bank’s latest monetary policy decision.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Swiss parliament rejects national microchipping scheme for cats
This content was published on
Switzerland should not introduce a nationwide mandatory microchip scheme for cats. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives rejected such an idea by 108 votes to 80.
Sharp rise in reported cyber incidents in Switzerland
This content was published on
The number of reported cyber incidents and online threats in Switzerland rose sharply last year, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Swiss National Bank ‘ready to consider’ negative interest rates
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is prepared to lower its key interest rate even further in the face of economic uncertainty, Chair Martin Schlegel said on Tuesday.
Toxic chemicals from car tyres found in fruit and vegetables in Switzerland
This content was published on
Tyre additives are transferred into the food chain, according to a new study in Switzerland. Further research is needed to establish the dangers for human health.
Swiss pensioner in court for feeding neighbour’s cat
This content was published on
A 68-year-old Swiss woman is in court in Zurich on Tuesday, accused of systematically feeding her neighbour's cat "Leo" - a criminal offence in Switzerland - so that the cat no longer wanted to go home.
SWISS flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until May 11
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has cancelled all flights to and from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv until May 11 after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed near the airport.
Ministers discuss Swiss-EU deal with Italy and Hungary
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis held talks on Monday with their respective counterparts from Italy and Hungary.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
OECD lowers growth forecast for Swiss economy
This content was published on
The Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation expects Swiss GDP to grow by 2.1% in 2022, not 2.5% as forecasted.
SNB board member says more rate hikes may be needed
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) may raise interest rates again to fight Swiss inflation, says governing board member Andrea Maechler.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.