Colombia holds interest rate steady

Colombia's central bank held its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Friday as policymakers attempt to quell stubbornly high inflation even as economic growth slows. The seven-member board voted unanimously to maintain the lending rate at 7.75 percent for a third month after raising it 325 basis points over the course of a year to ease inflationary pressure.
The bank has sought to ease inflation even as economic growth slows amid a slump in crude oil prices. The bank on Friday cut its economic growth estimate for the year to 2 percent from 2.3 percent. Consumer prices have begun to fall after reaching nearly 9 percent in July.