ECB would be "wise" to cut rates in September, Villeroy says

PARIS (Reuters) -The European Central Bank would be "wise" to deliver another interest rate cut in September, French policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said, warning there was a risk of undershooting its inflation target if it waits too long.

Inflation in the euro zone fell to its lowest level in three years in August, clocking in at 2.2% this month, according to preliminary figures published on Friday.

"Unfortunately, our growth remains too weak. The balance of risks still needs to be monitored in Europe," Villeroy told French magazine Le Point in an interview released on Friday, adding: "It would be fair and wise to decide in favour of a new rate cut."

Villeroy, who is also governor of the French central bank, said inflation would likely settle in line with the ECB's 2% target in the first half of next year in France and in the second half of 2025 in the broader euro zone.

But if the ECB waited to reach its 2% inflation target to cut interest rates, it would act too late and then run the risk of undershooting, he added.

Villeroy also said that financial markets' expectations that ECB rates would fall to 2%-2.5% next year currently appeared "reasonable" to him.

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas;Editing by Alison Williams)

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