INTEREST - The Czech National Bank (CNB) raised its key interest rate Oct. 27 by a quarter point to 2 percent, bringing the county's rate in line with the European Union's. CNB Governor Zdenek Tu?ma said rates, which were at an all-time low before last week, are likely to continue to increase.

FEES - Komercní banka will eliminate 30 percent of its fees at the start of 2006, according to media reports. At the end of November the bank will publish a new price list, which it said will be simpler and more transparent. Czech banks have been criticized recently for allegedly charging unusually high fees.

CHINA - Czech financial group PPF denied media reports that it is interested in buying the Chinese bank Chengdu City Commercial Bank. The company is, however, reportedly looking to purchase some bank in China. PPF has assets worth roughly 170 billion Kc ($4.41 billion), making it one of the largest Czech financial investors.

EURO - Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka will create a task force next spring to prepare for the adoption of the euro, he said Oct. 30. A deputy minister will oversee the process as a new national coordinator for the euro.

DEBT - Household debt increased 8.8 billion Kc to 380.3 billion Kc in September, slowing from a growth of 9.4 billion Kc in August, the Czech National Bank said Oct. 31. The bank published the data as part of its monthly monetary survey, which evaluates data from the central bank, commercial banks, money market funds and credit and savings centers.

INSURANCE - The Allianz insurance company has begun covering terrorism-related risk as part of its travel health insurance package. All travel insurance contracts signed after Oct. 10 will cover terrorism risks.

STOCKS - Online broker Patria Direct plans to offer its clients the possibility of trading stocks at the Warsaw stock exchange by the end of this year. It will also mediate the purchase of KBC funds and change its Web design. The company has a new logo to bolster its focus on retail clients.

DEBT - The bankruptcy administrator of Union Bank has officially announced a public tender to sell the bank's bad debt portfolios for Invesmart and Union Group. The claims total 2.5 billion Kc from Investmart and 1 billion Kc from Union group.