Brazil's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points for the second straight meeting on Wednesday and signaled another hike of that size in March, leaving the door open for subsequent moves amid mounting inflationary pressures.

Gabriel Galipolo will chair his first interest rate decision as Brazil’s central bank governor on Wednesday with a clear, well-known mission: the board he now presides will raise the benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point for the second straight meeting.

Brazil's central bank will raise its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points on Jan. 29, with more to increases follow, taking the cost of borrowing to the highest in nearly two decades by mid-year,