News

2.1.2009 | Bank of Finland to exchange Slovakian koruna banknotes

Slovakia joined the euro area on 1 January 2009, and its currency, the koruna, was replaced by the euro. In order to accelerate the repatriation of old currency, euro area central banks will exchange koruna banknotes for euro in January and February. Following the entry of Slovakia, the euro area comprises 16 states.

The Bank of Finland will exchange koruna banknotes for euro, free of charge, until 27 February 2009. The banknotes will be exchanged at the fixed conversion rate of 30.1260 korunas per euro, with the upper limit for exchange of EUR 1,000.

31.12.2008 | 71% of new housing loans tied to Euribor rates in November

In November 2008, households drew down new housing loans amounting to EUR 1.1 billion, compared to EUR 1.3 billion in October. Drawdowns of housing loans have not been below this amount in any November since 2003. The average interest rate on drawdowns of new housing loans was 5.04% in November, down by 0.48 percentage point compared to October.

30.12.2008 | Reference rate and penalty interest rate for 1 January – 30 June 2009

In accordance with the Interest Rates Act (340/2002), the reference rate is 2.5 % for the period 1 January – 30 June 2009. The penalty interest rate for the same period is thus 9.5 % pa (under the Act, the reference rate plus seven percentage points).

30.12.2008 | Two-euro commemorative coin to celebrate 10th anniversary of economic and monetary union

19.12.2008 | Financial Supervisory Authority to commence operations on 1 January 2009, Board and Acting Director General appointed, office of director general vacant