The European Central Bank has left its benchmark rate at zero percent, according to a press release regulator.
The rate on margin loans (issued by the secured assets of the borrower for the conduct of trading operations) unchanged at 0.25 per cent per annum. Rate on deposits remained at around minus 0.4% per annum.
The ECB governing Council said that rates could remain at low levels for extended periods of time. He also confirmed that the asset purchase program in the amount of 80 billion euros per month (it is designed to stimulate the EU economy by injecting money into the financial system — approx. “Of the tape.<url>”) will continue until at least March 2017.
The ECB cut its benchmark interest rate from 0.05 per cent to zero on March 10. The decision was taken in order to stimulate economic growth.
In January, the fed at the next meeting, left its benchmark rate unchanged. 16 December 2015 the fed has raised the base rate to 0.25-0.50 percent. Prior to this rate was at the level of 0-0,25 percent — was the lowest figure in U.S. history, which lasted for seven years (since December 2008).
