Monetary Policy

Honduras's net international reserves reached $11.6 billion as of October 22, up $1.3 billion since January, providing coverage for 6.7 months of imports.

Following an IMF recommendation, Honduras's central bank will progressively reopen the interbank foreign-exchange market, allowing private banks to manage a portion of currency trading, with authorities still determining the initial percentage and success depending on exchange-rate stability.

A Fosdeh economist cautioned that Honduras's return to an interbank foreign-exchange market could enable dollar hoarding and price spikes unless the central bank imposes safeguards, noting that five financial institutions already control 80% of the country's currency trade.

Honduras's commercial banks have kept lending and deposit rates unchanged despite the Central Bank raising its policy rate, according to a BCH statement.

An International Monetary Fund delegation opened the sixth and final review of Honduras's economic program through November 2, assessing the government's compliance with commitments on macroeconomic indicators, public finances, energy-sector losses, and anti-money-laundering reforms.

The Central Bank of Honduras announced it will begin a phased return to the interbank foreign-exchange market late in 2026, with further details to follow.

Honduras's money supply rose 10.0% in the year through October 1, down sharply from 18.2% a year earlier, reflecting the central bank's efforts to manage liquidity and ease inflation pressure.

Honduras's net international reserves grew by $1.21 billion since late January to reach $11.51 billion as of October 15, providing 6.6 months of import coverage.

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.

Available resources in Honduras's banking system grew 22.7% as of September 24, 2026, driven partly by increased domestic investment in government and central bank securities.

The central bank auctioned $114.5 million in its foreign-exchange market on October 13, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8927 per dollar for October 14.

Honduras's net international reserves grew by $1.1 billion since late January, reaching $11.4 billion as of October 5 and providing 6.6 months of import coverage.

Honduras's Central Bank forecasts year-over-year inflation of 5.0% by December 2026, declining through September 2028 to settle within the monetary authority's target range of 4.0% ± 1.0 percentage point.

Honduras's international reserves reached $1.24 billion in accumulation through September 24, strengthening the country's external position and providing coverage for 6.6 months of imports.

Year-over-year inflation in Honduras reached 6.28% in September, exceeding the Central Bank's tolerance range, according to the bank's monthly bulletin.

The Central Bank of Honduras allocated $99.4 million in its October 6 currency auction, setting a weighted average exchange rate of L 26.89 per dollar for the week of October 7–12.

Honduras's net international reserves reached $11.48 billion as of October 1, up $1.17 billion since late January, providing import coverage of 6.6 months.

Honduras's annual inflation hit 6.2% through August 2026, with food prices rising 5.57%, prompting the central bank to raise its monetary policy rate to 6.0% on September 21 to contain price growth.

Honduras's net international reserves rose by $1.158 billion since January to reach $11.46 billion as of September 24, providing 6.6 months of import coverage.

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.

Honduras's year-on-year inflation climbed from 3.46% in February to 6.20% in August 2026, driven largely by rising international oil prices, prompting the central bank to take steps to contain the impact.

Honduras's central bank allocated $107.3 million in its September 22 currency auction, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8808 per dollar for September 23.

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.

Honduras's Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 6%, effective Monday, citing inflation that reached 6.2% in August and exceeded the target range.

The central bank auctioned $105.6 million in its currency market on September 17, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8817 per dollar for September 18.

Honduras's net foreign reserves grew by $1.21 billion since January to reach $11.52 billion as of September 14, providing 6.6 months of import coverage, according to the Central Bank.

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.

Finance Minister Emilio Hércules announced that IMF Director Nigel Chalk will lead a technical mission to Honduras to conduct the sixth review of the country's ongoing IMF program.

The Central Bank of Honduras stated that core inflation in August reflects its monetary-policy stance to mitigate fuel-price volatility and effects of El Niño, citing international uncertainty from the US–Iran conflict that has driven up global fuel costs since late February.