	h k banks to raise prime rates soon dealers say banks in hong kong are likely to raise prime rates by half a percentage point to pct following a one quarter point prime rate increase by two major u s banks yesterday dealers said they told reuters local banks may decide on the increase at this weekend s routine meeting of the hong kong association of banks g c goh chief dealer of the standard chartered bank said prime rate increases by citibank and chase manhattan bank to pct from may prompt hong kong banks to follow suit goh said local banks want to restore the prime to pct the level at beginning of the banks raised the prime to the current six pct from five pct on february after cutting it points from on january in response to upside pressure on the hong kong dollar he said the medium and longer term interbank rates firmed today with three months ending at to pct against yesterday s five to close the overnight rate however fell to to three pct from to four because of increased liquidity for a local stock issue reuter 
