European Central Bank to keep level of stimulus unchanged

President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi speaks during a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, July 21, 2016, after a meeting of the governing council. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

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President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi is on his way to a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, July 21, 2016, after a meeting of the governing council. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi is seen speaking on a video screen during a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, July 21, 2016, after a meeting of the governing council. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

FRANKFURT, Germany – Economists expect the European Central Bank to keep its current levels of stimulus unchanged despite worries about how Britain's vote to leave the European Union will affect the economy.

The bank's 25-member governing council was meeting on Thursday at the bank's headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

A British departure from the EU could disrupt trade, but by how much is not clear. The Bank of England held off increasing stimulus at its last meeting as it takes stock of the situation.

The ECB has cut its benchmark lending rate to zero, and is buying 80 billion euros ($88 billion) in bonds each month, a step that pumps newly created money into the economy. The goal is to raise inflation, currently just above zero, to more normal levels and strengthen economic growth.