Bank of America cuts prime rate

Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:07am EST
 
[-] Text [+]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp on Tuesday cut its prime rate -- a borrowing rate that banks charge their best customers -- to 6.50 percent from 7.25 percent.

Other banks are expected to make identical cuts.

The decrease came after the Federal Open Market Committee, the policymaking body of the U.S. Federal Reserve, lowered its key overnight rate on loans between banks by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.50 percent.

Most lending institutions use the overnight rate, known as the federal funds rate, as a benchmark for what they charge consumers for everything from credit cards to home loans.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Maureen Bavdek)

 

Editor's Choice

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.   Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video
Shrimps boats are seen at the coastal area of Bayou La Batre, Alabama November 10, 2009.  REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Shrimpers struggle

Fishermen like Steve Patronas struggle to make a living, but high costs, low prices for their catches and competition from countries like Vietnam or China are putting many of them out of business and choking off their way of life.  Blog | Video