LIBOR, an acronymn for London Interbank Offered Rate has become a standard for banks in most countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Denmark, New Zealand, Switzerland and of course the UK as a reference rate for borrowing or lending marketable loans between banks. LIBOR rates, compiled by the British Bankers Association (BBA) are published everyday at 11 GMT. The BBA dates back to the early 1980’s and was first used in the financial markets in 1986.
The LIBOR rates, compiled by BBA is made up participating banks representing countries in each of the quoted currencies (AUD, CAD, DKK, EUR, JPY, USD, NZD, GBP, SEK, CHF). The banks mention what rate they would be charging for the currency during a specified period of time, which could from overnight loans to as long as 12 month loans. Based on this survey, LIBOR rates are published accordingly. It is estimated that around 20 banks participate in this survey which affects close to $10 trillion of various financial products worldwide, ranging from adjustable rate mortgages, home loans, small business loans, student loans and credit cards.
The participating banks on the LIBOR panel are reviewed twice a year as compared to an annual review prior to May 2009. The panel banks are selected by the Foreign Exchange and Money Markets Committee and chosen, amongst other criteria the bank’s scale of activity on the London markets and their percieved expertise. Any bank can apply to the LIBOR panel.
How is the LIBOR rate useful
LIBOR rates, although primarily serve as a guide for interbank borrowing and lending, also has its effects on certain financial products such as adjustable rate loans, interest only mortgages and credit cards. Lenders tend to add a point or two above the published LIBOR rates in order to create a profit.
In most cases of daily life, LIBOR rates don’t directly effect individuals. When a country’s interest rate environment is stable when the economy flourishes, all is well with the LIBOR. However, during uncertainty in the economic environment, more so with the participating countries, LIBOR rates can be extremely volatile even making it harder for interbanks to borrow or lend the loans. This volatility is then passed down to individuals looking for loans. To put it in perspective, when LIBOR interest rates are volatile, the banks you want to get a loan from will charge a higher interest rate in order to cover the volatility.
LIBOR Panel – List of participating banks
At the time of writing this article, the following banks make up the LIBOR panel for the respective currencies.
| USD | |||
| Bank of America | Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd | Barclays Bank plc | The Norinchukin Bank |
| BNP Paribas | Citibank NA | Credit Agricole CIB | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group |
| Credit Suisse | Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC | UBS AG |
| JP Morgan Chase | Lloyds Banking Group | Rabobank | Société Générale |
| Royal Bank of Canada | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Ltd (SMBCE) | ||
| CHF | |||
| Barclays Bank | Deutsche Bank | HSBC | JP Morgan Chase |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Rabobank | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
| GBP | |||
| BNP Paribas | Société Générale | HSBC | JP Morgan Chase |
| Mizuho | Rabobank | UBS AG | Citibank NA |
| Barclays Bank PLC | Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd | Credit Agricole Corporate Investment Bank | Deutsche Bank AG |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Royal Bank of Canada | Abbey National plc | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group |
| JPY | |||
| Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd | Barclays Bank plc | HSBC | JP Morgan Chase |
| Credit Agricole Corporate Investment Bank | Rabobank | Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC |
| Mizuho Corporate Bank | Citibank NA | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Ltd (SMBCE) | |
| The Norinchukin Bank | UBS AG | The Norinchukin Bank | |
| NZD | |||
| Barclays Bank plc | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | JP Morgan Chase | HSBC |
| Deutsche Bank AG | Lloyds Banking Group | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
| SEK | |||
| Barclays Bank | Deutsche Bank | HSBC | JP Morgan Chase |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Rabobank | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
| EUR | |||
| Lloyds Banking Group | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | Barclays Bank plc | JP Morgan Chase |
| Credit Suisse | Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC | Citibank NA |
| Abbey National | Mizuho | Rabobank | UBS AG |
| Société Générale | Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd | Royal Bank of Canada | |
| DKK | |||
| Barclays Bank plc | Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC | JP Morgan Chase |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Rabobank | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
| CAD | |||
| Bank of Nova Scotia | Bank of Montreal | Barclays Bank plc | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce |
| Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC | Lloyds Banking Group | Rabobank |
| Royal Bank of Canada | Société Générale | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
| AUD | |||
| Barclays Bank plc | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Deutsche Bank AG | HSBC |
| JP Morgan | Lloyds Banking Group | The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | |
The effect of LIBOR rates in the foreign exchange markets is more relevant to currencies such as the EUR, GBP, JPY and has less relevance on the US Dollar directly but does affect the USD held in foreign banks. LIBOR rates aren’t that popular especially amongst individuals, although they are looked upon and taken notice by investors. However, if you own a credit card or have a mortgage or plan to take a loan, it is always good to check on the LIBOR rates before you set forth.