Icelandic Economic Weekly: 7 Dec­em­ber 2020

The CBI published a report on the foreign exchange market, exchange rate developments, and international reserves in 2020. The Government Debt Management Agency published its monthly Market Information report. S&P Global Ratings issued a credit rating for Landsbankinn’s covered bonds. Registered unemployment was 12.1% in December, 1.4 pp of that figure due to part-time claims.

We will reopen Landsbankinn's branches as soon as changes to restrictions on gatherings enter into force on Wednesday, 13 January. Please continue to make appointments to visit us to help us uphold 2-metre distance and ensure that we respect the 20 persons rule.

The CPI based on prices in December increased by 0.20% MoM, bringing the headline number to 3.6%. The CBI released its quarterly Economic Indicators report. The GDM released an annual prospect for 2021, quarterly prospect for Q1 2021, and a Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy for the period 2021-2025. The CBI will continue its regular programme of foreign currency sales in January. Icelandair released traffic data for December.

The Icelandic króna depreciated somewhat against the currencies of main trading countries last year. The euro was 14.9% dearer at year-end 2020 than at the beginning of the year, the US dollar 5.0% and the British pound 8.9% dearer.

Due to restrictions on gatherings, banking now primarily takes place over the phone, the Internet and appointments, as traditional service in branches is temporarily suspended. Landsbankinn gift cards can be ordered on landsbankinn.is and picked up at a branch.

Last week's highlights and the week ahead.

Landsbankinn has sold its shareholding in Stoðir hf. in an open sale process. The deadline to submit offers expired at 17:00 on Tuesday, 8 December.

Members of Klassi can now apply for a recreation grant to support participation in recreational activities.

The EUR fell by 3.2% and the USD 5.6% against the ISK in November.

Last week's highlights and the week ahead.