ITALIAN INTERBANK RATE RISES IN FEBRUARY
Italy's average interbank rate
rose to a provisional 12.18 pct in February from 12.05 pct in
January, figures from the Bank of Italy show.
    Weighted average rate on bank lending was a provisional
13.78 pct in February compared with 13.83 in January, while
average weighted rate paid on deposits eased a provisional 7.49
pct from 7.66 pct.
    Italy today announced that its official discount rate would
be cut to 11.5 pct from 12 pct effective tomorrow.
 REUTER
