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Bank of Israel

Illustrative: New Israeli shekel bills, September 24, 2023. (Hadar Youavian/ Flash90)
June 7, 2026, 4:11 pm
In first since 2022, Bank of Israel buys foreign currency to stem sharp shekel gain
Central bank purchases $801 million after shekel reached a 33-year peak against the dollar, raising fears of tech firm layoffs and relocations to cheaper markets
By Sharon Wrobel
A. Grebelsky & Son Jerusalem limestone factory at the Har Tuv industrial zone near Beit Shemesh. (Courtesy)
April 26, 2026, 4:19 pm
Brawny shekel threatens to knock out exporters, tech firms dependent on almighty dollar
As exchange rate dives below NIS 3 to the greenback, companies paid in US currency say without government help they will have to cut costs, fire workers and could move elsewhere
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative photo of a shekel and a US hundred dollar bill, April 13, 2026. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
April 20, 2026, 1:51 pm
The 3.00 squeeze: Why the surging shekel is a threat to Israel’s economy
As the local currency leads a global strengthening trend against the dollar, exporters struggle to survive rising costs, with Israel’s competitiveness at immediate risk if government doesn’t act
By Eran Hildesheim
Illustrative: New Israeli shekel bills, September 24, 2023. (Hadar Youavian/ Flash90)
April 15, 2026, 10:47 pm
Shekel breaks below 3 to the dollar in first since 1995; exporters warn of economy risk
Currency’s strength reflects optimism over an Iran deal and Lebanon truce; Bank of Israel not seen intervening in the market, hurting exports
By Sharon Wrobel
Israelis at the Azrieli shopping mall in Givatayim near Tel Aviv, where stores opened after staying closed for a few days amidst the ongoing Israel-US war with Iran, March 6, 2026. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
March 30, 2026, 8:59 pm
Bank of Israel slashes growth prospects as Iran war takes toll on economy
Central bank leaves borrowing costs high, raises concerns over the intensity and duration of the campaign; Governor Yaron criticizes state for okaying coalition funds in wartime
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative: A woman carries her shopping near Talpiot Market in Haifa on August 4, 2024. (Canaan Lidor/Times of Israel)
February 23, 2026, 8:23 pm
Bank of Israel holds interest rates amid concerns over Iran escalation
Finance minister, manufacturers slam central bank for hesitating to lower borrowing costs for households and businesses with inflation slowing and the shekel strong
By Sharon Wrobel
A poster showing Shas leader Aryeh Deri saying "We are working on a law to regulate the status of Torah students," with the text underneath reading, "Who are you fooling?" in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem on October 28, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90)
December 11, 2025, 4:52 pm
Bank of Israel: Haredi draft bill insufficient to ease reserve duty’s burden on economy
Enlistment targets too low and sanctions on draft dodgers too weak, says central bank; ex-IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot ‘unequivocally’ warns PM that bill ‘endangers IDF’s mission’
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Governor of the Bank of Israel Amir Yaron speaks during a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on August 6, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
December 4, 2025, 8:16 pm
Bank of Israel governor warns funding yeshiva students, draft exemptions threatens growth
Speaking to cabinet ahead of 2026 budget vote, Amir Yaron says burden on working Israelis, reservists, is unsustainable, and criticizes plan to divert funding from Arab community
By Ariela Karmel
The Bank of Israel's main offices in Jerusalem, January 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
November 24, 2025, 9:02 pm
Central bank lowers rates for 1st time in nearly 2 years, cautions about pace of cuts
Bank of Israel says further interest rate cuts will depend on stability of geopolitical situation and government spending in upcoming 2026 budget; expects to cut rate 0.5% by next September
By Sharon Wrobel
Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, April 7, 2025. (Sharon Wrobel/The Times of Israel)
September 29, 2025, 8:02 pm
Central bank again holds rates as governor warns prolonged Gaza war weighs on growth
Amir Yaron says high geopolitical and economic uncertainty, alongside volatile inflation trends, do not justify cutting interest rate; central bank reduces 2025 growth forecast
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative: People walk by a Bank Hapoalim branch in Tel Aviv on March 25, 2025. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
August 25, 2025, 8:38 am
As banks pig out on profits, top economist urges tax to keep them from hogging wealth
After seeing plans aimed at boosting competition fall short, former Bank of Israel research head Michel Strawczynski says levy on lenders’ excessive income will ease wartime burden
By Sharon Wrobel
A woman walks past the closed offices of the Alkhalej Exchange Company in Ramallah on May 16, 2024. (JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP)
July 10, 2025, 4:46 am
The West Bank economy runs on shekels. So why aren’t Palestinian banks accepting them?
For 30 years, Israel has imposed a cap on how many shekels the Palestinian Authority may convert into foreign currency, giving banks a surplus of shekels – and triggering an economic crisis
By Nurit Yohanan
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
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