According to Diana, “It is clear to us that into 2014, the big story for monetary policy is not how much lower the base rate goes from here, but how effective [the Funding for Growth scheme] turns out to be.”

Diana went on the forecast that the key rate will “probably reduce the two-week deposit rate to 2.6% early next year,” well lower than MNB governor György Matolcsy’s forecast of 3%.

The base rate is currently at 3.2% after the latest 0.20% reduction made earlier this week.