ECB can safely raise rates out of negative territory, Visco says

KOENIGSWINTER, Germany (Reuters) – The European Central Bank can raise its benchmark interest rate out of negative territory without major economic consequences because financing conditions would still remain exceptionally easy, ECB policymaker Ignazio Visco said on Friday.

The Bank of Italy’s governor was speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Group of Seven financial policymakers in Germany.

(Reporting By Francesco Canepa; Editing by Hugh Lawson)