MNB launched the QE program in the spring of 2020 "to prevent damage…to monetary policy transmission and manage economic and financial risks arising from the coronavirus pandemic". Central bank policymakers decided in August 2021 to start tapering and set the target amount for weekly purchases at HUF 50 bln. About a month later, the target was lowered to HUF 40 bln for the period until the end of the fourth quarter.

The latest weekly QE data show the MNB bought HUF 15 bln of government securities at a weekly auction and HUF 14 bln outside of auction.

The total amount of government securities purchased in the framework of the scheme reached approximately HUF 3.439 tln on November 28.

The central bank has also purchased HUF 137.2 bln of bonds from other issuers with government guarantees, such as the Hungarian Development Bank (MFB) and Magyar Eximbank, in the QE scheme, including HUF 1.7 bln in the week ended November 28.

MNB will keep the securities purchased in the framework of the program on its balance sheet until maturity.