OREANDA-NEWS. The National Bank of Belarus (NBB) will keep the refinancing rate at a higher level than planned for 2013, NBB chief Nadezhda Yermakova told an online conference held by Belta on Wednesday.

The NBB keeps monitoring the situation regarding the profitability of ruble deposits, Yermakova said.

“This factor as well as inflation, forex market situation analysis and the general economic situation are the reasons that guide the National Bank’s decisions on changing the rates,” said the official. In September, the Board of the National Bank decided to preserve the refinancing rate at 23.5%, so it is unlikely that the refinancing rate will be reduced down to the planned figure of 13-15% in 2013,” Yermakova said.