Bank of Israel​

The Bank of Israel’s Banking Supervision Department today published for public comment a draft of a new Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directive titled “Supervisory Framework for Small and New Banks.”

Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of January 2026 stood at $233,044 million, an increase of $3,539 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The level of the reserves relative to GDP was 39.9 percent

The annual visit by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by Mr. Kotaro Ishi, submitted its initial report to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Israel, after completing its meetings in Israel. The IMF is expected to publish its final annual report on the Israeli economy in the near future.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the shekel strengthened by approximately 3.5 percent vis-à-vis the US dollar and the euro. In addition, the shekel strengthened by a similar rate against the currencies of Israel's main trading partners, in terms of the nominal effective exchange rate (i.e., the trade-weighted average shekel exchange rate against those currencies).

The Bank’s work plan and budget for 2026 incorporate measures to achieve the Bank’s strategic targets alongside steps to provide a response to the unique challenges facing the Israeli economy, in accordance with developments, changes, and risks in the global and Israeli economies. The work plan includes broad activity in many areas, in accordance with the Bank’s statutory functions