Romania Surprises With First Interest-Rate Hike in a Decade

  • Most economists in Bloomberg survey had predicted no change
  • Economy is among EU’s strongest, while inflation is quickening

Lights shine on the exterior of the Romanian central bank, the Banca Nationala A Romaniei, as the building is illuminated at night in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, June 11, 2015. 

Photographer: Akos Stiller/Bloomberg

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Romania unexpectedly raised borrowing costs for the first time in almost a decade as inflation bounces back and its economy expands at one of the continent’s quickest paces.

The central bank lifted its benchmark interest rate to 2 percent from a record-low 1.75 percent on Monday, according to an emailed statement. The move was predicted by five of 15 economists in a Bloomberg survey, while 10 saw no change.