Norway's central bank reiterates interest rates likely to rise soon

"Our latest analyses, presented in March 2018, suggest that the key policy rate will most likely be raised after summer 2018," Olsen said.

"The outlook suggests that it will soon be appropriate to raise the key policy rate - and this is a good sign," he added.

Most analysts have said the reference to a hike "after summer" likely pointed to a September policy tightening.