ITALIAN INTERBANK RATE RISES IN FEBRUARY Italy's average interbank rate rose to a provisional 12.18 pct in February from 12.05 pct in January, figures from the Bank of Italy show. Weighted average rate on bank lending was a provisional 13.78 pct in February compared with 13.83 in January, while average weighted rate paid on deposits eased a provisional 7.49 pct from 7.66 pct. Italy today announced that its official discount rate would be cut to 11.5 pct from 12 pct effective tomorrow.