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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 621

Bank of Israel

Construction in the central town of Gedera, February 24, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/ FLASH90)
Central bank moves to limit financing offers on new homes
By Zev Stub
While contractors embraced deferred payments and balloon loans for jittery customers after October 7, 2023, the trend now poses risks for the market
Then outgoing Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer at a press conference at the Bank of Israel in Jerusalem on June 25, 2013. (Flash90)
June 1, 2025, 3:54 am
Stanley Fischer, world-famous economist and former Bank of Israel chief, dies at 81
US-Israeli financier, who was also Federal Reserve deputy head, hailed by Financial Times as ‘the most quietly influential person in global economics over the past several decades’
By ToI Staff and Agencies
A branch of Bank Leumi in central Jerusalem (Maxim Dinshtein/Flash90)
May 20, 2025, 10:53 pm
Major banks’ profits surge as they cash in on wartime credit and fee growth
As households and businesses grapple with high cost of living, rising mortgage rates, and growing credit and loan needs during war, Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi post big profits
By Sharon Wrobel
Banking supervisor Daniel Hahiashvili speaks at a press conference in Tel Aviv on May 19, 2025. (Sharon Wrobel/Times of Israel)
May 19, 2025, 6:46 pm
Israeli regulator calls for more competition as large banks cash in on hefty loan fees
Banking supervisor seeks to remove barriers for the entry of non-bank entities that will provide credit and saving tools, force current lenders to offer better terms and services
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative photo of 200-shekel bills, February 7, 2016. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
April 24, 2025, 6:38 pm
Bank of Israel rejects Sa’ar’s request to cancel NIS 200 bill as blow against Hamas
Foreign minister argues the move would ‘dramatically harm Hamas’s economic capacity,’ but bank says there’s no ‘well-founded professional justification’ for idea
By Lazar Berman
Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, April 7, 2025. (Sharon Wrobel/The Times of Israel)
April 7, 2025, 11:34 pm
Bank of Israel cuts growth prospects, holds rates, warns about Trump tariff effect
Central Bank head Amir Yaron says 17% US tariff on Israeli goods will reduce exports and moderate growth; bank also sees slower growth as Gaza war resumes
By Sharon Wrobel
A branch of Bank Leumi in central Jerusalem (Maxim Dinshtein/Flash90)
March 30, 2025, 11:17 pm
Unbalanced: Banks offer minor benefits, with major catches, for war-harmed clients
Told to give back a fraction of their vast profits, Hapoalim offers $68 to students and reservists… if they have a deposit account or $8,000 balance, Leumi will defer payments on mortages below $27,000
By Sharon Wrobel
Bank of Israel chief Amir Yaron, left, gives Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the central bank's year-end report in Jerusalem, March 28, 2024. (Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO)
March 26, 2025, 8:07 pm
Central bank chief urges government to rethink spending priorities to reduce war debt
Amir Yaron says government shouldn’t rush to cancel tax hikes imposed on the public; reminds lawmakers that independent institutions are vital for economic growth
By Sharon Wrobel
Construction in the central town of Gedera, February 24, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/ FLASH90)
March 23, 2025, 6:11 pm
Central bank moves to limit financing offers on new homes
While contractors embraced deferred payments and balloon loans for jittery customers after October 7, 2023, the trend now poses risks for the market
By Zev Stub
People withdraw money from a Bank Hapoalim ATM machine in Tel Aviv on December 9, 2024 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
March 5, 2025, 8:20 pm
Israeli banks rake in record profits as their war-battered customers drown in debt
Lack of competition, high interest rates and weak regulations have lenders notching record profits on the backs of households struggling to make ends meet during wartime
By Sharon Wrobel
The Bank of Israel's main offices in Jerusalem, January 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
February 26, 2025, 4:50 pm
Israeli banks told to set aside $839m to offer customers lower fees and other benefits
Bank of Israel urges banks profiting from high interest rates to provide benefits, as households, small businesses, and other war-affected populations struggle to make ends meet
By Sharon Wrobel
Bank of Israel main offices in Jerusalem, on August 12, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 24, 2025, 11:24 pm
Central bank holds borrowing costs steady, despite subdued growth, jumping inflation
Bank of Israel keeps interest rates steady at 4.5% citing geopolitical uncertainty, shekel volatility, and fiscal changes
By Sharon Wrobel
Israelis protest against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) outside the organization's offices in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
January 28, 2025, 4:34 pm
Why the law banning UNRWA might wind up benefiting Hamas
90 days after legislation was passed to outlaw an agency complicit in terror, and 2 days before it takes effect, Israel has not taken steps to insure it plays out as MKs intended
By Tal Schneider
The Bank of Israel's main offices in Jerusalem, January 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
January 20, 2025, 10:52 pm
Bank of Israel calls for 2025 budget passage without changes to gain markets’ trust
But Finance Ministry says amendments may be needed in light of recommendations by the Nagel committee that examined defense expenditure in coming years
By Sharon Wrobel and Reuters
Watching planes take off at Ben Gurion International Airport, August 26, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 7, 2025, 2:23 pm
Daily Briefing Jan. 7: Day 459 – Will new law bring airlines back to Israel’s skies?
Arab affairs reporter Gianluca Pacchiani discusses hostage talks and Hezbollah; tech editor Sharon Wrobel reviews central bank comments, funds for the north, and foreign airlines
By Jessica Steinberg, Gianluca Pacchiani and Sharon Wrobel
Bank of Israel governor Amir Yaron speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, April 8, 2024. (Sharon Wrobel/Times of Israel)
January 6, 2025, 8:19 pm
Central bank sees economy improving but warns of continued geopolitical uncertainty
Bank of Israel holds interest rates at 4.5%, citing rising inflation following January tax hikes, including VAT; governor warns lawmakers against making changes to the 2025 budget
By Sharon Wrobel
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