From Longman Business Dictionary
base rateˈbase rateFINANCEBANKING the basic rate of interest charged by the BANK OF ENGLAND, that replaced the BANK RATE and the MINIMUM LENDING RATE. The rates charged by all banks on their lending rise and fall with the base rate, and this has an important influence on the economy as a whole. Bank rate and minimum lending rate are still used in Britain and other countries to talk about the base rateYou will pay 2% below the base rate for the first two years of your mortgage.
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