Hungary pushes OECD‑backed fiscal reforms and eases loan fees

OECD fiscal recommendations MNB loan fee reforms Hungarian asset management record Budapest Stock Exchange financing Magyar Fejlesztési Bank law

The OECD’s latest country report on Hungary recommends limiting the 13th‑month pension, phasing out reduced VAT rates and introducing wealth and capital taxes to broaden the fiscal space. It also notes that Hungarian GDP growth slowed to about 0.5 % in 2025 and could rise to 1.9 % in 2026 if external demand improves.

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) has presented a package of measures to reduce loan‑related administrative costs. Proposals include capping loan‑disbursement fees at 0.75 % of the loan amount (maximum 150 000 HUF), limiting pre‑payment fees to 1 % of the prepaid sum, and allowing online loan procedures from 2024 with the bank covering the cost of a single energy‑certificate assessment.

In the asset‑management sector, the total value of funds under management reached a record 21.721 trillion forints in June, an increase of 293 billion forints driven by strong market returns and fresh inflows. Meanwhile, a survey of companies listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange shows that about 70 % plan to raise capital within the next twelve months, but the majority still prefer bank financing over equity or bond issuances.

A new law tightening transparency and state‑guarantee rules for the Magyar Fejlesztési Bank (MFB) has also been enacted, restricting the conditions under which the state can act as guarantor and enhancing reporting obligations. The OECD’s recommendations align with the government’s stated priorities of using EU funds, supporting SMEs and diversifying energy sources.

Entities: Budapest Stock Exchange (BÉT) · Hungarian government · Magyar Fejlesztési Bank (MFB) · Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) · Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Hungarian GDP growth slowed to about 0.5 % in 2025 and is projected to reach 1.9 % in 2026. (OECD country report)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Hungarian asset‑management firms' total assets reached a record 21.721 trillion forints in June, up 293 billion forints from the previous month. (BAMOSZ data)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The OECD’s recommendations are consistent with the Hungarian government’s priorities on EU‑fund use, SME support and energy diversification. (OECD report and government commentary)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Around 70 % of companies listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange plan to raise capital within the next twelve months, but most still prefer bank financing. (Equilor Corporate Advisory survey)
[● 2 SOURCES] MNB will allow online loan processes from 2024 and will bear the cost of a single energy‑certificate assessment. (MNB proposal)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Magyar Nemzeti Bank proposes capping loan‑disbursement fees at 0.75 % of the loan amount (max 150 000 HUF) and limiting pre‑payment fees to 1 % of the prepaid sum. (MNB proposal)
[● 2 SOURCES] The OECD recommends limiting the 13th‑month pension and introducing wealth and capital taxes in Hungary. (OECD report)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A new law tightens transparency requirements and limits state guarantees for the Magyar Fejlesztési Bank. (Hungarian legislation)