LIBOR stands for London Interbank Offered Rate.

It is the level of interest that banks use when lending to each other and LIBOR is set every day in London by the British Bankers Association.

Whilst LIBOR is set daily, there are different rates for different maturing periods from next day (known as the overnight rate) to a loan period of 6 distant. Each rate is set daily. On top of this, there are 15 different currencies in which monies lent are subject to LIBOR including the main economies such as USA, Euro, The Pound Sterling, etc.

A LIBOR mortgage is usually set to the 6 month LIBOR rate and an additional % rate will be added to this LIBOR rate. This is generally the rate the borrower would pay.

For example, if you wanted to calculate your LIBOR rate you first need to establish which rate you are borrowing on. In the UK, for mortgages, this might be the 6 month Sterling LIBOR. Your mortgage might state that you will be paying a low rate of say 2.15% and that after 18 months it will revert to 2% above LIBOR. Therefore, at the end of the fixed rate period, if LIBOR on that day for your loan currency is say 1.035, then you would be charged interest at a new rate of 3.035 (2% + 1.035%).

LIBOR is the rate at which banks lend to each other and is only usually used for mortgages which involve an element of business lending. Of course, this is all dependent on the rate used for your loan and the terms of your loan. Therefore, it’s wise to take advice before entering into a new loan.

Contact Mortgage Required to speak to a mortgage adviser on 01628 507477.

Related articles:

Download our Free First Time Buyers Guide

Recent posts

There has been a rise in both rent and mortgage costs over the last three years, with renters seeing a greater increase in their monthly payments than those with a mortgaged property.

The new Delayed Start Mortgage launched by Skipton Building Society allows first time buyers to postpone the first three mortgage payments. This product has been designed to help soften the blow of moving in costs for first time buyers. 

Mortgage lenders are starting to recognise their “Green” responsibilities when it comes to the different products they offer. 

A recent study by Boon Brokers where 1,000 people who had used an estate agent over the last year were surveyed, showed that a whopping 52% said they were pressured into using the estate agents’ in-house mortgage broker.

Analysts are predicting further rate cuts this year, with the next one possibly coming down to 4% when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meet on Thursday 7th August 2025.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has shared new changes to mortgage rules with the aim to simplify remortgaging, and encourage competition within the mortgage market.

Lloyds Banking Group has jumped on the bandwagon to boost lending for first-time buyers as they allocate an additional £4 billion to help first-time buyers on to the property ladder.

As the Loan to Income (LTI) cap has been increased to 5.5 times income, applicants who fit the First Time Buyer Boost criteria could borrow up to 22% more. 

The government is introducing mortgage reforms to boost homeownership, stimulate economic growth, and make the housing market more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the most significant mortgage reforms in over a decade—great news for those dreaming of homeownership.