TEXT-Brazil central bank statement on interest rates

SAO PAULO Jan 19 (Reuters) - Brazil's central bank raised its benchmark Selic interest rate BRCBMP=ECI to 11.25 percent from 10.75 percent on Wednesday, the first hike since July.

The bank's monetary policy committee, known as Copom, voted unanimously for the rate increase. [ID:nSAQ002574]

Following is the text of the statement issued by the Copom after its two-day monetary policy meeting:

"The Copom unanimously decided to raise the Selic rate to 11.25 percent per annum, without bias, starting a process of adjustment of the benchmark interest rate, whose effects, coupled with macroprudential measures, will contribute to make inflation converge to the target."

(Compiled by Todd Benson and Elzio Barreto)