The bank has lowered the rate five times since January 1986.

Germany's central bank lowered a key interest rate by half a percentage point.

But he equivocated about whether the central bank actually would lower rates.

The nation's largest banks lowered their prime rate to 9 1/2 percent.

The last reduction came on June 5, when banks lowered the rate from 11 1/2 percent.

Earlier this month, the central bank lowered its benchmark rate to 4.5 percent, the first cut in two years.

We have received a refusal letter, and in another case, a major bank lowered our available credit.

If the nominal interest rate is at or very near zero, the central bank cannot lower it further.

Financial markets are looking to see whether the German central bank lowers interest rates.

Both banks lowered their prime back to 9.25 percent, the industry norm.