Swiss National Bank 'ready to consider' negative interest rates

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is prepared to lower its key interest rate even further in the face of economic uncertainty, Chair Martin Schlegel said on Tuesday. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox No scenario has been ruled out by the Swiss central bank, he declared. "If necessary, we are prepared to consider reintroducing a zero interest rate, or even a negative interest rate (monetary) policy," Schlegel told the participants of a meeting in Zurich. He said the greatest risk currently facing the Swiss central bank is prevailing uncertainty on the markets, the volatility of which has exploded as a result of the recent trade war declared by Washington. Meeting in mid-June The uncertainties surrounding global growth, which are also likely to have repercussions for Switzerland, are having a particular impact on the Swiss franc, a safe-haven asset that has strengthened by almost 9% against the dollar since the start of the year. + Strong franc blessing and ...