1.   Based in the German financial center of Frankfurt, the bank will set interest rates across the euro bloc.

2.   Bundesbank chief Hans Tietmeyer urged the euro bloc not to move too quickly in bringing the euro into circulation, according to the Die Welt report.

3.   Britain, Sweden and Denmark want to stay outside the euro bloc.

4.   In addition, with interest rates in the euro bloc low, retail banking may lose business with customers looking for higher-yielding investments.

5.   The bank dropped the rate half a percentage point in April, its only change since taking over monetary policy for the euro bloc.

6.   The euro bloc comprises Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

7.   The European Central Bank, which sets monetary policy for the euro bloc, has given no indication it will lower rates.