23 November 2004, 13:24  ECB allots refis at 2,05 pct lowest rate

FRANKFURT, Nov 23 - The European Central Bank on Tuesday allocated 270 billion euros in seven-day refinancing agreements at 2.05 percent and above for a weighted average rate of 2.06 percent.
The rates were broadly in line with the results of a poll of money market dealers on Monday, which forecast a marginal rate -- the lowest at which the ECB allots funds -- of 2.05 percent and a weighted average rate also of 2.05 percent.
At last week's auction, the marginal rate and the weighted average rate were both 2.05 percent.
Rates at the weekly tenders, the main source of central bank funds for euro area credit institutions, are an indication both of current liquidity conditions in the banking system and market expectations for official interest rates.
Refinancing agreements for 262.5 billion euros expire on Wednesday, so a net 7.5 billion euros is flowing into the market.
The ECB said it had accepted 51.6 percent of bids placed at the marginal rate. The ECB has set the floor for bidding rates at 2.00 percent in the weekly tenders.
The lowest bid rate at the auction was 2.00 percent and the highest rate 2.09 percent.
The ECB said 346 banks bid for 368.7 billion euros of the refinancing funds this week.

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