European Central Bank keeps rates at record 0.25% low

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low of 0.25% at the rate fixing meeting of the ECB Governing Council on the 5 December 2013.

The decision follows its surprise cut from 0.5% in November 2013.

ECB President Mario Draghi said the decision to keep the rate at its current level reflected the fact that the eurozone's economy remained 'subdued'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: ECB cuts interest rates to record low http://www.europeansources.info/record/monetary-policy-decisions-november-2013-ecb-cuts-interest-rates-to-record-low/

Deutsche Welle, 05.12.13: ECB keeps powder dry to battle weak growth and low inflation in 2014 http://dw.de/p/1ATaH

Spiegel Online International, 05.12.13: Weapons of Last Resort: ECB Considers Extreme Crisis Measures http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/ecb-examines-weapons-of-last-resort-to-combat-debt-crisis-a-937382.html

ECB: Press Release, 05.12.13: Monetary policy decisions, December 2013 http://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2013/html/pr131205.en.html

ECB: Press Release, 05.12.13: Introductory statement to the press conference (with Q&A). Mario Draghi, President of the ECB, Frankfurt am Main, 5 December 2013 http://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pressconf/2013/html/is131205.en.html

Euronews, 05.12.13: ECB ready to act to boost economy, leaves interest rated unchanged for now http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/05/ecb-ready-to-act-to-boost-economy-leaves-interest-rated-unchanged-for-now/

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