libor

Financial BenchmarkLegal glossary term

Legal Definition

LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a benchmark interest rate used in financial markets to price the risk-free rate of credit. It serves as a key indicator for the cost of borrowing and pricing derivatives, such as bonds and swaps.

Plain-English Translation

Imagine LIBOR is like a special price tag that tells banks how much money they need to borrow for a short time. It's used to figure out the cost of lending money in the financial world.

Context in Contracts

It matters because it is a crucial benchmark for determining the true cost of borrowing and pricing various financial transactions in legal and regulatory frameworks. Its fluctuations directly impact the valuation of assets.

Visual model

Understand libor fast

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01

A bond indenture where the coupon payment calculation is based on the prevailing LIBOR rate.

02

A regulatory filing demonstrating compliance with financial reporting standards using LIBOR as a benchmark.

Document context

How libor shows up in legal documents

What is it?

LIBOR stands for the London Interbank Offered Rate, which is a benchmark interest rate used to determine the cost of credit and pricing financial instruments like bonds or swaps.

Why does it matter?

It matters because it is a crucial benchmark for determining the true cost of borrowing and pricing various financial transactions in legal and regulatory frameworks. Its fluctuations directly impact the valuation of assets.

When does it matter?

It usually appears in legal documents related to financial contracts, debt instruments, risk management disclosures, or regulatory compliance reports where interest rate benchmarks are discussed.

Where is it usually seen?

It is typically seen in legal documents pertaining to derivatives trading, bond issuance, credit risk analysis, and financial reporting within U.S. legal frameworks that incorporate international financial standards.

Who is affected?

The parties affected include financial institutions (banks), investors holding debt securities, regulatory bodies overseeing financial stability, and the entities involved in setting the benchmark rate.

How does it work?

In practice, LIBOR is used to calculate the required interest payments for loans or the present value of a security. It is an input for pricing derivatives and determining the cost of capital under legal scrutiny.

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Wikipedia

Libor

Libor

The London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (Libor LY-bor) was an interest rate average calculated from estimates submitted by the leading banks in London. Each bank estimated what it would be charged were it to borrow from other banks. It was the primary benchmark,...

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