ECB figures show that euro zone money supply growth eased in April but remained near 24-year highs, reinforcing expectations that the bank will keep raising interest rates.
Annual growth in M3 money supply slowed to 10.4% in April from 10.9% in March, which was the fastest growth since early 1983.
The ECB is widely expected to raise its key rate to 4% next week and economists said rapid money supply growth would fuel concerns about upward inflation risks and was likely to push the bank towards another rates move by the end of 2007.
Although inflation remains under the ECB's 2% ceiling, the central bank expects price increases to accelerate towards the end of the year.
