Reference Rate

EXAMPLES OF USE

The most common use of reference rates is that of short term interest rates such as LIBOR in Floating Rate Note s, Loan s, Swaps , short term interest rate Futures Contract s, etc. The rates are calculated by an independent organisation, such as the British Bankers Association (BBA) as the average of the rates quoted by a large panel of banks, to ensure independence.

Another example is that of Swap reference rates for Constant Maturity Swap s. The rate that is used is calculated daily by an independent organisation, the International Swaps And Derivatives Association , from quotes from a large panel of banks.

In the Credit Derivative market a similar concept to reference rates is used. Pay offs are not determined by a ''rate'', but by possible ''events''. In this case, the ''reference event'' has to be a very precisely defined credit event, to make sure there can be no disagreement on whether the event has occurred or not.

REFERENCE RATES FOR SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES

Examples of reference rates for short term interest rates are:

Euribor - Euro Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

SIBOR - Singapore Interbank Offered Rate

Information About

Reference Rate