ECB keeps key interest rates unchanged

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) today said it was leaving its key interest rates unchanged.

The main eurozone interest rate remains at a record low of 1%.

"The interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively," the ECB said in a statement.

But the bank has warned it is preparing for a rise later in the year.

ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet will present upward revisions - after a monthly meeting of policymakers.

The bank has held interest rates at the record low since May of 2009.