
The official bank rate, also known as the base rate, is the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the central bank. It's a crucial benchmark that influences the entire banking system.
Commercial banks use the official bank rate to calculate their own interest rates for lending to customers. This rate is typically higher than the official bank rate. The difference between these two rates is known as the bank's margin.
The official bank rate is set by the central bank, which aims to control inflation and maintain economic stability. The central bank reviews and adjusts the rate regularly to achieve these goals.
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What is the Official Bank Rate?
The Official Bank Rate is the rate at which the Bank of England charges banks and financial institutions for loans with a maturity of 1 day. It's also known as the Bank Rate or Bank of England base rate.
This rate is set by the Monetary Policy Committee and is used as a tool for enacting monetary policy. It's more analogous to the US discount rate than to the federal funds rate.
The Official Bank Rate has been adjusted over time, with notable changes including an increase to 0.75% on August 2, 2018, and a cut to 0.25% on March 11, 2020. As of August 21, 2024, the bank rate sits at 5%.
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What Is Rate?
The Bank Rate is a crucial interest rate in the UK, also known as the 'Bank of England base rate' or simply 'the interest rate'. It's set by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as part of their efforts to keep inflation low and stable.
Bank Rate determines the interest rate paid to commercial banks that hold money with the Bank of England. This rate has a significant impact on the economy.
It influences the rates those banks charge people to borrow money or pay on their savings. This means Bank Rate affects how much you'll pay for a loan or earn on your savings.
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Official in a Sentence
The Official Bank Rate is a key concept in the financial world, and it's used in various contexts. It's the rate at which the Bank of England lends money to banks.
The Official Bank Rate can influence the rate at which councils can invest their funds. This is a significant consideration for local authorities.

The Bank of England publishes the Official Bank Rate on a regular basis. As of July 2017, the latest observation was on July 28th.
If you're looking for a benchmark for investment, the Official Bank Rate is a good starting point. It's often used as a reference point for other financial rates.
Here are some examples of how the Official Bank Rate is used in different contexts:
- The benchmark for the GBP Classes is the UK Bank of England Official Bank Rate plus 2%.
- The benchmark for the GBP Classes is the UK Bank of England Official Bank Rate plus 3%.
How Does the Official Bank Rate Affect Interest Rates?
The Official Bank Rate has a significant impact on interest rates in the UK. It's the rate that the Bank of England charges banks and financial institutions for loans with a maturity of 1 day.
Changes in the Official Bank Rate can affect interest rates for banking products like mortgages, savings, and loans. This is because banks often adjust their interest rates in response to changes in the base rate.
Banks need to cover their costs by paying less on savings than they make on lending. This means that when the Official Bank Rate is close to 0%, banks may not pass on the full change to lower saving and borrowing rates.
As the Official Bank Rate starts to rise away from 0%, the impact on saving and borrowing rates is likely to be less significant.
Check this out: Cost of Borrowing Money on an Annual Basis
Economic Impact of the Official Bank Rate
The Official Bank Rate has a significant impact on the economy. It's the rate that the Bank of England charges banks and financial institutions for loans with a maturity of 1 day.
A change in the Official Bank Rate can influence how much people spend, which in turn affects how much things cost. This is because a change in Bank Rate affects the level of interest rates for banking products like mortgages, savings, and loans.
The target set by the Government is to keep inflation at 2%. The Bank of England uses the Official Bank Rate to help achieve this target.
For more insights, see: Bank of England Lending Rate
England's Official Bank Rate
The Bank of England's Official Bank Rate is a crucial tool in the UK's monetary policy. It's the rate at which the Bank of England charges banks and financial institutions for loans with a maturity of 1 day.
This rate is also known as the Bank Rate or Bank of England base, and it's used to influence the level of interest rates for various banking products like mortgages, savings, and loans. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee makes decisions about the level of the interest rate.
The Official Bank Rate has a direct impact on the exchange rate of the British Pound Sterling. Changes in the base rate can affect the value of the pound against other currencies.
The Bank of England's Official Bank Rate has fluctuated over the years. In August 2018, it was increased to 0.75%, but then cut to 0.25% in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was later increased to 5.25% in August 2023.
Here are some key terms related to the Bank of England's Official Bank Rate:
- Bank rate
- Implied repo rate
- Repo rate
Sources
- https://www.global-rates.com/en/interest-rates/central-banks/1003/british-boe-official-bank-rate/
- https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/official-bank-rate
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_bank_rate
- https://www.global-rates.com/en/interest-rates/central-banks/
- https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/the-interest-rate-bank-rate
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