# ECB Officials Expect December Rate Hike, May Pause Afterward

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/43976
Published: 2026-10-29T22:45:14.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-29T22:45:14.000Z
Section: Regulation

> A 25-basis-point increase would lift the deposit rate from 2.50% to 2.75%. The ECB has not made a December decision.

European Central Bank (ECB) officials expect a 25-basis-point increase at their Dec. 17 meeting, a move that would raise the deposit rate to 2.75%, although the bank has not decided to act.

The expected increase would lift the rate from 2.50%. Officials may pause afterward, but that possibility is not settled. The ECB left rates unchanged Thursday, Oct. 29.

One official described a December increase as nearly certain unless energy prices suddenly plunge. Separately, developments in the Middle East could quickly change the outlook.

The bank has not decided whether to raise rates at its Dec. 17 meeting.