Banking

The cost of managing current accounts and holding credit cards saw a noticeable uptick in 2022, with the average expense per current account reaching NIS 26.9 per month, marking a NIS 2.3 per month surge from the previous year. This data comes from a recent periodic report that scrutinized the fees incurred by households and small businesses, issued under the oversight of the local banks

In a response to the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip, two major Israeli banks have unveiled plans to provide relief to homeowners located in areas near the border. Bank Hapoalim and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank are offering mortgage payment exemptions to residents affected by the hostilities, in addition to the broader outline provided by the Bank of Israel earlier this week

In a significant financial move, Israel's Ministry of Finance has successfully completed a giant issuance with a total financial volume of NIS 3.3 billion. The issuance comprised NIS 2 billion in shekel bonds and NIS 1.3 billion in index-linked bonds

In a closely watched decision, the monetary committee of the Bank of Israel has chosen to keep the country's interest rate steady at 4.75%, in line with most economic forecasts. This move, despite the ongoing war that has persisted for 52 days, sets the stage for a potential reduction in January 2024, marking the first decrease since the initial cut in April 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic

Amid reports of an imminent end to the cease-fire and the tragic shooting attack in Jerusalem claiming three lives and injuring seven, the shekel experiences a downward trend today. The dollar responds by surging 0.9%, reaching approximately NIS 3.71, while the euro climbs 0.3%, trading near NIS 4.05