Base Interest Rate

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Base Interest Rate


Base Interest Rate


Full Definition of Base Interest Rate


The base interest rate is the lowest interest rate that investors will accept for investing in a non-Treasury security. The base interest rate is pegged to the interest rate of the most recently-issued (also known as an on-the-run) Treasury of comparable duration. Since Treasuries represent the lowest-risk investment available, the base interest rate is generally the same rate as a comparable Treasury plus a small premium (known as the base interest rate premium) which reflects the added risk of a non-Treasury investment. When an interest rate is offered that is substantially higher than the base interest rate, it is often because the investment has an inherent added risk. The base interest rate is also known as the benchmark interest rate.


Cite Term


To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.

Page URL
https://payrollheaven.com/define/base-interest-rate/
Modern Language Association (MLA):
Base Interest Rate. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
March 28, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/base-interest-rate/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Base Interest Rate. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/base-interest-rate/ (accessed: March 28, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Base Interest Rate. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/base-interest-rate/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Base Interest Rate are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 4th February, 2020 | 0 Views.