The Swiss National Bank raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points on Thursday as the central bank pressed ahead with its campaign to dampen stubborn inflation.

The SNB increased its policy rate and the rate it charges on sight deposits to 1.75% from the 1.5% level set in March, its fifth increase in a row since the bank started its hiking cycle last year.

The increase, in line with forecasts in a Reuters poll, meant Swiss interest rates were now at their highest level since April 2002. (Reporting by John Revill Editing by Tomasz Janowski)