Czech central banker Benda still sees room for a hike

PRAGUE: The Czech central bank still has room to raise interest rates, board member Vojtech Benda was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Benda said, in an interview published by Bloomberg news agency, that he would consider voting for a further increase when the bank meets again on June 26.

At its last meeting in May, the bank increased rates for the eighth time since 2017 but said its outlook saw rate stability ahead.

"I see the overall balance of risks as rather inflationary," Benda said.

"I will carefully consider whether there's room for another hike already at the next meeting, or if we should wait for more clarity about developments abroad."

"I can see room for a further increase in rates, but it will depend a lot on the exchange-rate development, as well as on the expectations for (US) Fed rates," Benda added.