As of July 2023, several financial service providers in the Netherlands had an interest rate on their savings accounts that was over two percent. Rabobank and ABN AMRO, which were among the largest banks in the Netherlands terms of assets, offered interest rates of 1.25 and one percent, respectively. Generally speaking, this ranking indicated that larger banks and financial service providers offered lower rates than more specific banks or particular online brokers.

Abstract

The Survey on Interest Rate Controls 2020 was conducted as a World Bank Group study on interest rate controls (IRCs) in lending and deposit markets around the world. The study aims to identify the different types of formal (or de jure) controls, the countries that apply then, how they implement them, and the reasons for doing so. The objective of the study is to advance knowledge on this topic by providing an evidence base for investigating the impact of IRCs on economic outcomes.

The survey investigates present IRCs in each surveyed country, the reasons why they have been applied, the framework and resources associated with their application and the details as to their level and functioning. The focus is on legal forms of control (i.e. codified into law) as opposed to de facto controls. The new database on interest rate controls, a popular form of financial repression is based on a survey of 108 countries, representing 88 percent of global gross domestic product. The interest rate controls presented in this dataset were in effect in 2019.

Geographic coverage

Global Survey, covering 108 countries, representing 88 percent of global GDP.

Analysis unit

Regulation at the national level.

Universe

Banking supervisors and Local Banking Associations.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

Bank supervisors and banking associations were provided with a standard excel file with five parts. The survey was structured in five parts, each placed in a different excel sheet. Part A: Introduction. Countries with no IRCs in place were asked to only answer this sheet and leave the rest blank. Part B: Presented the definitions of controls, institutions, products and additional aspects that will be covered in the survey. Part C: Introduced a set of qualitative questions to describe the IRCs in place. Part D: Displayed a set of tables to quantitatively describe the IRCs in place. Part E: Laid out the final set of questions, covering sanctions and control mechanisms that support the IRCs' enforcement. The questionnaire is provided in the Documentation section in pdf and excel.

From 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to 2.25 percent by February 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of June 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.09 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.69 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

The monthly interest rates on deposits from a sample of Norwegian banks and mortgage companies increased sharply between July 2018 and January 2025. Interest rates rose particularly fast throughout 2022 and 2023 and stood at 3.31 percent as of January 2025.

Key information about Germany Long Term Interest Rate

• Germany Long Term Interest Rate: Month Avg: Germany: ECB Harmonised was reported at 2.18 % pa in Dec 2024, compared with 2.31 % pa in the previous month.
• Germany Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1990 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9.09 % pa in Oct 1990 and a record low of -0.65 % pa in Aug 2019.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.

• In the latest reports, Germany Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 3.15 % pa in Dec 2024.
• Germany Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in Italy 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

The U.S. bank prime loan rate has undergone significant fluctuations over the past three decades, reflecting broader economic trends and monetary policy decisions. From a high of 10.1 percent in 1990, the rate has seen periods of decline, stability, and recent increases. As of February 2025, the prime rate stood at 7.5 percent, marking a notable rise from the historic lows seen in the early 2020s. Federal Reserve's impact on lending rates The prime rate's trajectory closely mirrors changes in the federal funds rate, which serves as a key benchmark for the U.S. financial system. In 2023, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of rate hikes, pushing the federal funds target range to 5.25-5.5 percent by year-end. This aggressive monetary tightening was aimed at combating rising inflation, and its effects rippled through various lending rates, including the prime rate. Long-term investment outlook While short-term rates have risen, long-term investment yields have also seen changes. The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond, a benchmark for long-term interest rates, showed an average market yield of 2.13 percent in the second quarter of 2024, adjusted for constant maturity and inflation. This figure represents a recovery from negative real returns seen in 2021, reflecting shifting expectations for economic growth and inflation. The evolving yield environment has implications for both borrowers and investors, influencing decisions across the financial landscape.

Forecast: 3-Month Bank Deposit Interest Rates in Indonesia 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Key information about Panama Short Term Interest Rate

• Panama Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Interbank Reference Rate: 3 Months was reported at 4.62 % pa in Jan 2025, compared with 4.75 % pa in the previous month.
• Panama Short Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2006 to Jan 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 7.11 % pa in Nov 2006 and a record low of 0.12 % pa in Apr 2013.
• Short Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by Superintendency of Banks of Panama.
• Panama Exchange Rate against USD averaged 1.00 (USD/PAB) in May 2023.

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in the US 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

August 2024 marked a significant shift in the UK's monetary policy, as it saw the first reduction in the official bank base interest rate since August 2023. This change came after a period of consistent rate hikes that began in late 2021. In a bid to minimize the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of England cut the official bank base rate in March 2020 to a record low of 0.1 percent. This historic low came just one week after the Bank of England cut rates from 0.75 percent to 0.25 percent in a bid to prevent mass job cuts in the United Kingdom. It remained at 0.1 percent until December 2021 and was increased to one percent in May 2022 and to 2.25 percent in October 2022. After that, the bank rate increased almost on a monthly basis, reaching 5.25 percent in August 2023. It wasn't until August 2024 that the first rate decrease since the previous year occurred, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. Why do central banks adjust interest rates? Central banks, including the Bank of England, adjust interest rates to manage economic stability and control inflation. Their strategies involve a delicate balance between two main approaches. When central banks raise interest rates, their goal is to cool down an overheated economy. Higher rates curb excessive spending and borrowing, which helps to prevent runaway inflation. This approach is typically used when the economy is growing too quickly or when inflation is rising above desired levels. Conversely, when central banks lower interest rates, they aim to encourage borrowing and investment. This strategy is employed to stimulate economic growth during periods of slowdown or recession. Lower rates make it cheaper for businesses and individuals to borrow money, which can lead to increased spending and investment. This dual approach allows central banks to maintain a balance between promoting growth and controlling inflation, ensuring long-term economic stability. Additionally, adjusting interest rates can influence currency values, impacting international trade and investment flows, further underscoring their critical role in a nation's economic health. Recent interest rate trends Between 2021 and 2024, most advanced and emerging economies experienced a period of regular interest rate hikes. This trend was driven by several factors, including persistent supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, and robust demand pressures. These elements combined to create significant inflationary trends, prompting central banks to raise rates in an effort to temper spending and borrowing. However, in 2024, a shift began to occur in global monetary policy. The European Central Bank (ECB) was among the first major central banks to reverse this trend by cutting interest rates. This move signaled a change in approach aimed at addressing growing economic slowdowns and supporting growth.

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in South Korea 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in Japan 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Key information about India Long Term Interest Rate

• India Government Securities Yield: 10 Years was reported at 6.71 % pa in Jan 2025, compared with 6.78 % pa in the previous month.
• India Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from May 1996 to Jan 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13.96 % pa in May 1996 and a record low of 5.11 % pa in Oct 2003.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by Reserve Bank of India.

• In the latest reports, India Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: India: MIBOR: 3 Months was reported at 7.19 % pa in Jun 2023.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Repo Rate) was set at 6.50 % pa in Jan 2025.
• India Exchange Rate against USD averaged 82.23 (USD/INR) in Jun 2023.

In 2024, preliminary figures reflected that the average lending nominal interest rates of banks in the Philippines reached a whooping 7.89 percent — the highest recorded since 2017. The average lending nominal interest rate of banks in the country fluctuated in the observed period.

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in Viet Nam 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in Indonesia 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Brazil Lending Rate: per Month: Pre-Fixed: Individuals: Credit INSS Payroll: Banco GMAC S.A. data was reported at 0.000 % per Month in 03 Jul 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % per Month for 02 Jul 2019. Brazil Lending Rate: per Month: Pre-Fixed: Individuals: Credit INSS Payroll: Banco GMAC S.A. data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % per Month from Jan 2012 to 03 Jul 2019, with 1866 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 % per Month in 03 Jul 2019 and a record low of 0.000 % per Month in 03 Jul 2019. Brazil Lending Rate: per Month: Pre-Fixed: Individuals: Credit INSS Payroll: Banco GMAC S.A. data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Interest and Foreign Exchange Rates – Table BR.MB006: Lending Rate: per Month: by Banks: Pre-Fixed: Individuals: Credit INSS Payroll. Lending Rate: Daily: Interest rates disclosed represent the total cost of the transaction to the client, also including taxes and operating. These rates correspond to the average fees in the period indicated in the tables. There are presented only institutions that had granted during the period determined. In general, institutions practicing different rates within the same type of credit. Thus, the rate charged to a customer may differ from the average. Several factors such as the time and volume of the transaction, as well as the guarantees offered, explain the differences between interest rates. Certain institutions grant allowance of the use of the term overdraft. However, this is not considered in the calculation of rates of this type. It should be noted that the overdraft is a modality that has high interest rates. Thus, its use should be restricted to short periods. If the customer needs resources for a longer period, should find ways to offer lower rates. The Brazilian Central Bank publishes these data with a delay about 20 days with relation to the reference period, thus allowing sufficient time for all Financial Institutions to deliver the relevant information. Interest rates presented in this set of tables correspond to averages weighted by the values of transactions conducted in the five working days specified in each table. These rates represent the average effective cost of loans to customers, consisting of the interest rates actually charged by financial institutions in their lending operations, increased tax burdens and operational incidents on the operations. The interest rates shown are the average of the rates charged in the various operations performed by financial institutions, in each modality. In one discipline, interest rates may differ between customers of the same financial institution. Interest rates vary according to several factors, such as the value and quality of collateral provided in the operation, the proportion of down payment operation, the history and the registration status of each client, the term of the transaction, among others . Institutions with “zero” did not operate on modalities for those periods or did not provide information to the Central Bank of Brazil. The Central Bank of Brazil assumes no responsibility for delay, error or other deficiency of information provided for purposes of calculating average rates presented in this

Forecast: Bank Lending Interest Rate in Thailand 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!