Central Bank

Central Bank President Roberto Lagos met with IMF Western Hemisphere Director Nigel Chalk in Thailand to discuss the outlines of Honduras's next IMF program.

The National Association of Industrialists says international tensions, Middle East conflict, rising fuel and energy costs, and dollar fluctuations account for roughly one-third to two-fifths of Honduras's inflation, with the Central Bank expected to revise its economic forecasts in coming weeks.

The Central Bank of Honduras will close all nationwide offices from October 7–11 for the Morazán Week holiday, remaining open only on October 5–6 and resuming operations on October 12.

Economists forecast Honduras will end 2026 with inflation above 6%, exceeding the central bank's 5% target, as fuel and food prices surge despite a recent interest-rate increase.

Central Bank President Roberto Lagos said the 25-basis-point increase in Honduras's monetary policy rate will not immediately or sharply raise credit costs, as the bank is managing the adjustment gradually and the full transmission to borrowing rates typically takes about six months.

Prosecutors have charged 11 Central Bank of Honduras employees and former employees with negligent embezzlement for allowing ex-prosecutor Francia Medina to withdraw L88.8 million (about $3.5 million) in seized evidence from bank vaults without proper authorization.

The Central Bank of Honduras raised its policy interest rate to 6%, a decision that now comes from President Roberto Lagos, who as an outside critic in 2024 had warned that similar rate increases by the previous government risked raising loan costs across the financial system.

An economist warns that the Central Bank of Honduras's increase in its policy rate to 6% will quickly push up interest rates charged by commercial banks, raising borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.

The Central Bank of Honduras reminds researchers that applications for the Juan Manuel Gálvez Socioeconomic Research Prize close on September 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The Central Bank forecasts annual inflation reaching 4.98% by December 2026, within its target range of 4.0% ± 1.0 percentage point, with further declines expected ahead.

Honduras's net international reserves reached $11.6 billion on September 4, up $1.3 billion since January, providing coverage for 6.7 months of imports.

An economist argues the Central Bank's strategy of allowing lempira devaluation to accumulate international reserves is driving inflation and eroding household purchasing power, despite reserves of $11.5 billion being ample to stabilize the currency.

BCH President Roberto Lagos and Paraguay's central bank chief Carlos Carvallo addressed questions on inflation and monetary policy during the Central Bank of Honduras's annual Economic Perspectives Conference in Tegucigalpa.

BCH president Roberto Lagos projects inflation will continue easing to about 5.5% in August from nearly 6%, while international reserves reached a record $11.7 billion, equivalent to seven months of import coverage and strengthening financial stability.

The Central Bank of Honduras forecasts full-year 2026 GDP growth of 3 to 4 percent, supported by agricultural exports and household consumption, though the outlook depends heavily on global oil and coffee prices and international trade tensions.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $96.2 million in its August 3 currency sale, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8003 per dollar for August 4.

Honduras's net international reserves reached $11.7 billion as of July 31, up $1.4 billion since late January, providing 6.8 months of import coverage, the central bank reported.

Honduras's Central Bank is implementing measures to absorb excess money circulating in the economy and stabilize resources, as inflation reached 5.83% year-over-year in June, while president Roberto Lagos cited supply-driven pressures and limited scope for interest-rate policy.

Economist Ismael Zepeda says the Central Bank will struggle to control inflation through monetary policy given international conflicts raising fuel costs and a planned electricity rate increase in the third quarter, though the bank aims to absorb excess money supply and cut monetary emissions by 11%.

Central Bank President Roberto Lagos said Honduras holds $11.5 billion in international reserves—enough to cover 6.7 months of imports—and projects 3.5% economic growth this year, though he cautioned that energy-sector reforms are needed to attract investment and push growth above 4%.