Published by Zeb BhamThe Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has predicted the national economy will return to growth of 3.25 per cent next year, encouraging the central bank to raise interest rates for the third month in a row.In a note explaining the decision to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent, the RBA's governor Glenn Stevens explained that growth should be "close to trend and inflation close to target" next year.He explained the RBA was confident the economic weakness witnessed in late 2008 had been stabilised and added that the recent rate hikes were an attempt to gradually remove the stimulus measures introduced in response to the economic crisis.In the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the RBA cut the cash rate by a total of 400 basis points, while the government also introduced a homebuyers' grant programme to keep property sales afloat and shore up consumer spending.For more information on international payments, visit our Smart FX site