Central Banks
Monetary policy decisions, interest rate changes, and central bank communications worldwide.
Taiwan Central Bank Maintains Rates as Inflation Pressures Mount
Taiwan's central bank kept interest rates unchanged Thursday, holding policy steady even as geopolitical tensions and energy price shocks complicate the economic outlook.
Brazil's central bank cuts Selic rate to 14.75% in first reduction since May 2024
Copom lowered the benchmark rate by 25 basis points on 18 March 2026 after holding it at 15% through five meetings, citing its strategy to bring inflation back to target.
Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady but Warns Oil Shock Could Force Hike
The decision to maintain the overnight rate at 2.25 percent, with the Bank Rate at 2.5 percent and the deposit rate at 2.20 percent, had been widely anticipated by markets.
Saudi Central Bank Keeps Repo Rate at 4.25% After Federal Reserve Hold
SAMA kept its repo rate at 4.25% and reverse repo at 3.75%, after the US Federal Reserve held rates on 18 March, in line with the riyal's long-standing dollar peg.
UAE Central Bank Unveils Five-Pillar Banking Resilience Package Against Iran Fallout
The Central Bank of the UAE has approved a five-pillar resilience package giving banks access to reserves, liquidity facilities and capital-buffer relief as the Iran conflict weighs on the Gulf.
BOJ Holds at 0.75% as Oil Price Shock Clouds Outlook
The nine-member board voted eight to one to keep rates at their highest level since September 1995, with hawkish board member Hajime Takata once again dissenting in favour of an immediate increase to 1.0 percent.
Powell Digs In, Vows to Serve as Chair Pro Tem
Powell invoked a provision of the Federal Reserve Act that requires the Board of Governors to elect a member to act as "chairman pro tempore" when both the chairman and vice chairman are unavailable.
Federal Reserve Holds Federal Funds Rate at 3.50–3.75%, Dot Plot Projects One Cut in 2026
The FOMC voted 11-1 to hold the federal funds rate at 3.50–3.75%, with the median dot plot still projecting one rate reduction later in 2026.
Bank of Canada Holds Overnight Rate at 2.25% for Third Consecutive Meeting as Middle East War Clouds Outlook
The Bank of Canada kept its overnight rate at 2.25% for a third straight meeting, citing the war in the Middle East, downside risks to growth and higher energy-driven inflation risks.
Banco Central do Brasil Cuts Selic Rate by 25 Basis Points to 14.75%, Opening Easing Cycle
Brazil's Copom unanimously cut the Selic rate to 14.75% in a calibration move after nine months on hold, marking the country's first rate reduction since May 2024.
Bank of Ghana cuts policy rate by 150 basis points to 14% in March 2026
The Bank of Ghana cut its policy rate by 150 bp to 14.00% on 18 March 2026, with inflation at 3.3%.
Reserve Bank of Australia Raises Cash Rate by 25 Basis Points to 4.10% in Second Consecutive Hike
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10% on 17 March 2026, its second consecutive increase, citing Middle East conflict risk to energy inflation.