Romanian Leu Sinks Deeper vs Euro

In the last two weeks the leu has been losing ground due to persistent macroeconomic imbalances and uncertainty about the forming of Romania’s new government following the November 30 elections.

The leu ended at 3.9280/9365 per euro, compared to 3.9100/9180 on Thursday, one dealer told SeeNews.

"The expectations are for further depreciation if the central bank does not intervene," she said.

Romania's central bank, BNR, set its reference exchange rate, used for statistical purposes, at 3.9151 lei per euro on Friday, compared to 3.9047 lei on Thursday. For the U.S. dollar, the reference exchange rate was set at 2.9394 lei versus Thursday’s 2.9643 lei.

Interest rates on overnight leu deposits fell to an average of 10.14%/10.64% on Friday, compared to 10.68%/11.30% on Thursday.

Turnover on the interbank leu deposit market fell to 1.84 billion lei on Thursday from 1.9 billion lei on Wednesday. The BNR will issue Friday's figures on Monday.

Following are Friday's average bid and ask quotes of commercial banks on Romania's interbank market. They were calculated at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) by the BNR, based on data provided by 10 commercial banks (in pct):