FACTBOX-Czech central bankers' recent remarks on policy

...cemented market expectations that policymakers will raise interest rates at Thursday's meeting.

The main policy rate was last revised in May when it was raised by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.75 percent with the aim of containing budding inflation pressures in the fast-growing central European economy.

Forward-looking money market rates are pricing in fully a rise in the policy repo rate to 3 percent this month, another hike to 3.25 percent by October, and a further increase to 3.50 percent by December, according to Reuters data .

For Reuters polls on analysts' interest rate expectations, click on [CNB/INT].

Following are extracts from recent comments from CNB board members.

=========================COMMENTS==============================

VICE-GOVERNOR MIROSLAV SINGER, INTERVIEW WITH THOMSON FINANCIAL NEWS, JULY 18

"We perceive significant inflation risks. The data is more or less consistent in this respect."

"We can't exclude a hike."

BOARD MEMBER PAVEL REZABEK, REUTERS INTERVIEW, JULY 17

"We will see how the (new inflation) forecast looks, but it is possible that the principle of caution wins the day and (the board) accepts an increase by 25 basis points."

STORY: [ID:nL17813368]

VICE-GOVERNOR LUDEK NIEDERMAYER, WRITTEN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM BLOOMBERG, JULY 13

"Most information coming from the economy in the past quarter supported the need to move the inflation forecast higher, which would naturally imply an equivalent move in interest rates."

STORY: [nL13800978]

MINUTES TO JUNE 28 POLICY MEETING, RELEASED ON JULY 10

"The majority of the members agreed that the balance of risks was tilted towards the upside."

"Given the upside balance of risks to inflation, the Board discussed the possibility of raising interest rates."

STORY:[ID:nL10648783]

TEXT: [ID:nL10557119]

GOVERNOR ZDENEK TUMA, NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER MONTHLY MEETING, JUNE 28

"The debate led towards an assessment that (risks to the inflation forecast) are heading in the pro-inflationary direction, but the arguments were not as strong as to make us decide immediately (to hike rates) and we will see what stance will we take next month."

HIGHLIGHTS: [ID:nL28546436]

STORY: [ID:nL28398864]

(Compiled by Marek Petrus in Prague)

Click on [ID:nL28883806] for profiles of CNB board members

Keywords: CZECH CENTRALBANK/QUOTES