There is a possibility that Russia’s central bank would lower its key rate in the second quarter of 2019, VTB Chief Executive Andrey Kostin said.
"We expect the regulator to take a set of steps to soften its monetary policy this year or maybe even at the next (meeting)… Last year, the central bank had to suspend measures to soften the policy… due to a weaker ruble and foreign capital outflow from the debt market," he said.
He also said that Russia’s second largest lender VTB plans to return to paying 50% of its net profit in dividends soon, Reuters reported.
On April 26, the board of directors of Russia's Central Bank held its key interest rate at 7.75%, but said it could consider cutting rates as early as June. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on June 14.
