The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept the cost of borrowing steady today, the first pause since it began hiking interest rates in May last year.<br /><br />The key interest rate remains at 6 point 25 percent. This comes after the slower increase in prices of goods with inflation cooling for the third straight month in April.<br /><br />Banks and lending companies use the Central Bank's rates as a benchmark for loan, credit card, and deposit rates.<br /><br />Let's now get the thoughts of Oxford Economics assistant economist Makoto Tsuchiya joining us from Tokyo.<br /><br />Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/<br /><br />Follow our social media pages:<br /><br />• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines<br />• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/<br />• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines
