25.09.201908:48:00UTC+00Czech CB Holds Rate Steady For Third Time

The Czech National Bank left its key interest rate unchanged in September for a third consecutive policy session, as expected.

The Bank Board, led by CNB Governor Jiri Rusnok, decided to keep interest the two-week repo rate at 2 percent, the bank said in a statement on Wednesday. The previous change in the key rate was a quarter-point hike in May.

The discount rate was maintained at 1 percent and the lombard rate at 3 percent.

"With inflation still above target, the MPC is unlikely to be in a rush to follow the ECB and loosen policy," Capital Economics economist Jason Tuvey said. "We think that an easing cycle will probably get underway around the middle of next year."