Czech cbank governor tipped balance in rate vote

...Tuma's ballot tipping the balance in favour of tightening policy.

The 25 basis point increase, which put the key two-week repo rate at 2.75 percent, was widely expected by markets, and was the first hike in eight months.

Czechs rates are now at their highest in more than four years, but still remain 100 basis points below the main euro zone rate.

For the first time in nearly 6 years, the board was evenly split in an interest rate vote. In the event of a tie, the governor's vote decides the outcome. Dovish-leaning Vladimir Tomsik was absent at Thursday's meeting, which had led markets to boost the chances of a hike.

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]