The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to raise the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. The interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations, and the marginal lending facility will be increased to 2.50%, 2.65%, and 2.90% respectively, with effect from 16 September 2026. This decision aims to ensure that inflation stabilizes at the ECB's 2% target in the medium term. The baseline of the new ECB staff projections sees headline inflation averaging 3.0% in 2026, 2.5% in 2027, and 2.1% in 2028. For inflation excluding energy and food, the baseline foresees 2.5% in 2026, 2.6% in 2027, and 2.3% in 2028. The ECB will follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to determining the appropriate monetary policy stance. The press conference was held in Berlin on 10 September 2026, at 14:45 CET, where the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, and the Vice-President, Boris Vujčić, discussed the monetary policy decisions and the current economic outlook. The event was open to the press, and the details of the press conference, including the venue and the timing, were available on the ECB's website. The ECB's main task is to maintain price stability in the euro area and preserve the purchasing power of the single currency. The ECB's strategy is to keep prices stable, and it uses various tools, including interest rates, to achieve this goal. The inflation indicators, such as the headline inflation and the inflation excluding energy and food, measure the rate of change in prices of goods and services in the euro area. These indicators are important for the ECB's monetary policy decisions, as they help the bank to assess the current state of the economy and make informed decisions about interest rates. The ECB's decisions are based on its assessment of the inflation outlook and the risks surrounding it, as well as the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission. The ECB's goal is to ensure that inflation stabilizes at its 2% target in the medium term, which is considered to be a sign of price stability. The ECB's monetary policy decisions have a significant impact on the economy, as they influence the borrowing costs for households and businesses, and can affect the overall level of economic activity. The ECB's decisions are closely watched by financial markets, as they can have a significant impact on the value of the euro and the overall direction of the economy. The press conference provided an opportunity for the ECB to explain its decisions and provide guidance on its future policy stance. The ECB's commitment to price stability and its efforts to maintain a stable economy are essential for the well-being of the citizens of the euro area. The ECB's strategy and decisions are based on its mandate, which is to maintain price stability, and it uses various tools to achieve this goal. The ECB's monetary policy decisions are made with the aim of promoting economic growth, employment, and low inflation, and are based on a thorough analysis of the current state of the economy. The ECB's decisions are transparent, and the bank provides regular updates on its policy stance and the reasoning behind its decisions. The press conference was an opportunity for the ECB to provide more information on its decisions and to answer questions from the press. The ECB's website provides detailed information on its monetary policy decisions, including the minutes of the Governing Council meetings and the press releases. The ECB's monetary policy decisions are an important part of its efforts to maintain price stability and promote economic growth in the euro area.