The Ceska Narodni Banka (CNB) maintained the two-week repurchase rate unchanged at 0.75% as expected. The Bank also held the the discount rate unchanged at 0.25% and the Lombard rate at 1.75%. The Bank said: “Consistent with the forecast is broad stability of market interest rates at the start of the forecast horizon and a gradual rise in rates starting in late 2011/early 2012. The rates do not react to the first-round effects of the VAT increase”.