Blog BanRep

According to the prevailing view in Latin America of the mid-20th century—which saw active state intervention as essential for promoting development—central banks were assigned a significant role as development banks. On this basis, they were expected to direct part of domestic savings under…

According to the prevailing view in Latin America of the mid-20th century—which saw active state intervention as essential for promoting development—central banks were assigned a significant role as development banks. On this basis, they were expected to direct part of domestic savings under…

Over the past decade, instant payment systems have established themselves as essential infrastructure for modernizing the financial sector in emerging economies. Colombia has not been immune to this trend: the way Colombians make payments and transfers has shifted significantly.

Over the past decade, instant payment systems have established themselves as essential infrastructure for modernizing the financial sector in emerging economies. Colombia has not been immune to this trend: the way Colombians make payments and transfers has shifted significantly.

Each year, Banco de la República generates profits that, by law, must be transferred to the Government once the equity reserves in this same law have been deducted. In March of this year, Banco de la República will transfer to the National Government approximately 13.9 trillion pesos of profits…

Each year, Banco de la República (the Central bank of Colombia) generates profits that, by law, must be transferred to the Government once the equity reserves in this same law have been deducted. In March of this year, Banco de la República will transfer to the National Government approximately…

Over the past decades, Colombian women have experienced profound transformations in their lives in terms of access to higher education, participation in the labor market, and reproductive decisions. However, these advances have not been fully translated into equivalent reorganization within…

Over the past decades, Colombian women have experienced profound transformations in their lives in terms of access to higher education, participation in the labor market, and reproductive decisions. However, these advances have not been fully translated into equivalent reorganization within…

Recent installments of this Blog introduced crucial elements of monetary policy, such as the inflation target and the…

Recent installments of this Blog introduced crucial elements of monetary policy, such as the inflation target and the monetary policy interest rate. These elements are the building blocks of what is known as the target inflation framework - the general structure under which monetary policy…

Although Colombia’s unemployment rate (UR) has declined in recent years, it remains high in the international context. The most recent Labor Market Report from Banco de la República (the Central…

As usual, we devote the last Blog of the year to provide a preliminary assessment of the performance of the Colombian economy over the year about to end, as well as to examine its outlook. In keeping with its commitment to transparency, Banco de la República (the Central Bank of Colombia, BanRep…

As usual, we devote the last Blog of the year to provide a preliminary assessment of the performance of the Colombian economy over the year about to end, as well as to examine its outlook.

Inflation is the generalized and sustained increase in the prices of goods and services. When inflation is high, money loses its value rapidly, which affects all sectors of the economy, especially households, as their purchasing power declines. This means that with the same amount of money, a…

Inflation is the generalized and sustained increase in the prices of goods and services. When inflation is high, money loses its value rapidly, which affects all sectors of the economy, especially households, as their purchasing power declines. This means that with the same amount of money, a…

Since early 2024, interest rates on long-term Colombian government debt bonds, hereafter referred to as government bonds, have been increasing. This means that the government must pay more interest on its debt, so a larger share of its revenues must be allocated to cover such interest payments…

Since early 2024, interest rates on long-term Colombian government debt bonds, hereafter referred to as government bonds, have been increasing. This means that the government must pay more interest on its debt, so a larger share of its revenues must be allocated to cover such interest payments…

Banco de la República’s policy interest rate is currently 9.25%. The policy interest rate serves as the benchmark that the Bank uses to lend to or borrow from commercial banks over very short terms. As with other central banks worldwide, it is the main policy instrument used to achieve the…

Tax authorities in both advanced and emerging economies have resorted to tax wealth as a tool to increase tax revenues, replace other taxes, promote the use of productive capital, and reduce wealth inequality.

The Colombian economy has been increasing its growth pace over the past quarters in response to the strengthening of domestic demand, which expanded by 4.3% annually in the first half of 2025, more than double its growth in 2024 (2.0%). The rise in domestic demand has been driven by the notable…