UPDATE 2-Second newcomer to take Czech c.bank seat

(Writes through with analyst reaction, Hampl quotes)

By Marek Petrus

PRAGUE, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Right-wing economist Mojmir Hampl was named on Monday as a Czech central bank (CNB) policymaker, becoming the second newcomer to join the bank's seven-member interest rate-setting board next month.

President Vaclav Klaus said in a statement he would appoint Hampl -- and another newcomer, academic Vladimir Tomsik whose name was published on Friday -- to their positions as executive directors and governing board members on Tuesday.

The president, who has the power to chose central bankers without the government or parliament having to agree, is replacing hawkish-leaning Michaela Erbenova and outspoken dove Jan Frait. Their six-year terms end on Nov. 30.

Analysts expect no significant shift in policy at the bank. The key interest rate has been 2.50 percent, a record 75 basis points below the euro zone equivalent, as a firming crown keeps a lid on prices in the booming economy.

Hampl and Tomsik will decide on interest rates for the first time at the Dec. 20 policy meeting.

"We expect continuity in the decision-making process at the CNB. Neither (of the newcomers) will one-sidedly focus (on) supporting either only economic growth or low inflation," said Ales Michl, analyst at Raiffeisenbank in Prague.

"Hampl published less (research papers) than Tomsik, so from this point of view, it is less possible to read what his views are going to be," he added.

The arrival of newcomers continues a shake-up that Klaus initiated last year when he re-appointed Governor Zdenek Tuma but replaced three members, including a vice-governor.

"DOWN-TO-EARTH"

Hampl, a former analyst at Czech Erste Bank unit Ceska Sporitelna and top manager at the state Consolidation Agency, has been frequently touted as a candidate by local media in the past few weeks.

Hampl, Young Czech Economist of The Year 1999, told Reuters in his first comments since the appointment that he wanted to contribute to maintaining policy as an anchor for the economy.

"I expect people to start speculating whether I am a dove or hawk but I do not like these games about birds. I want to be down-to-earth," 31-year-old Hampl, who is set to become the youngest member of the reshuffled board, told Reuters.

"It is important to sustain CNB policy and its stabilisation role in the economy, as an anchor for the entire economic policy ... I would like to maintain continuity in the good reputation that the CNB's policy has had across Europe," he added.

Outgoing Erbenova has overseen banking and financial market supervision. Frait has been charged with oversight of the key monetary department which prepares the quarterly economic prediction and drafts policy recommendations to the board.

The monetary policy meeting on Nov. 30 will be their last in the current term. Analysts predict rates will stay on hold after increases totalling 75 basis points since October 2005.

The reshuffled board is expected to vote before the end of December to divide the oversight responsibilities between its members. ((For FACTBOX on who is who on new CNB policy board, double click on [ID:nL27834588]))

((Editing by David Stamp; Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com or marek.petrus@reuters.com; Tel: +420 224 190 477))

Keywords: CZECH CENTRALBANK/