Today, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) made an unexpected decision to raise the deposit rate for the first time since September 2007. The rate was raised immediately by 50 basis points, and currently it is minus 0.25% per annum. The previous rate level (minus 0.75% per annum) has been held since 2015. The regulator noted that the purpose of tightening monetary policy is to prevent the spread of inflation to goods and services in Switzerland. Also, the Central Bank does not exclude the possibility of further rate hikes to stabilize inflation in a range that ensures price stability in the medium term. After the announcement of the results of the Central Bank meeting, the Swiss franc rate soared against the euro: to 1.0204 euros from 0.9631 euros the day before. Against the US dollar, the franc rose by 1.26% and was trading near 0.982.
