Prime Rate – What is It?

Prime Rate or Prime Lending Rate is the overnight lending rate that banks charge other banks to lend money.  It is based on the Federal Funds Rate.  Prime is typically about 3% above the Fed Funds Rate.  So if Bank A borrowers money from the Federal Reserve at 1% it will then lend to Bank B at 4%.  The 4% rate charged to bank B is the Prime Rate. Keep Reading...