European Central Bank officials saw enough convincing evidence last month to conclude that the time for interest-rate cuts has almost arrived, an account of their latest policy meeting showed. Policymakers convening in Frankfurt said inflation was making “encouraging” progress toward their 2% target — though they weren’t yet ready to sound the all clear, according to the account of the March 6-7 gathering, published Thursday. “While it was wise to await incoming data and evidence, the case for considering rate cuts was strengthening,” the ECB said, citing its latest projections, progress on the three criteria set out ... (full story)