Historical Prime Interest Rates

Since the Bank Prime Loan Rate was established in 1947, prime interest rates were adjusted 368 times with 1980 seeing the highest amount of rate adjustments within a one-year period to the tune of 38 adjustments. There were no rate adjustments for 7 years between 12/17/08 and 12/16/15 - the longest stretch of stable bank prime loan interest rates. The average prime rate for all time is 9.52% with the minimum and maximum rates of 1.75% and 21.50%, occurring in 1947 and 1980 respectively. The current bank prime loan interest rate of 7.50% is -21.22% below the average prime rate for all time, respectively. This means today’s cost of capital is 21% cheaper, on average.

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2017-2024

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 26 times. The average interest rate was 5.77% with the minimum and maximum rate at 3.25% and 8.5%, respectively.

2005-2016

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 24 times. The average interest rate was 6.11% with the minimum and maximum rate at 3.25% and 8.25%, respectively.

2000-2004

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 21 times. The average interest rate was 6.37% with the minimum and maximum rate at 4.00% and 9.50%, respectively.

1990-1999

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 24 times. The average interest rate was 8.05% with the minimum and maximum rate at 6.00% and 10.00%, respectively.

1985-1989

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 23 times. The average interest rate was 9.32% with the minimum and maximum rate at 7.5% and 11.50%, respectively.

1982-1984

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 25 times. The average interest rate was 13.10% with the minimum and maximum rate at 10.50% and 17.00%, respectively.

1981

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 23 times. The average interest rate was 18.51% with the minimum and maximum rate at 15.75% and 20.50%, respectively.

2H80

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 20 times. The average interest rate was 15.18% with the minimum and maximum rate at 11.00% and 21.50%, respectively.

1H80

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 18 times. The average interest rate was 16.61% with the minimum and maximum rate at 12.00% and 20.00%, respectively.

1979

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 15 times. The average interest rate was 13.68% with the minimum and maximum rate at 11.50% and 15.50%, respectively.

1978

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 15 times. The average interest rate was 9.78% with the minimum and maximum rate at 8.00% and 11.75%, respectively.

1976-1977

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 14 times. The average interest rate was 6.95% with the minimum and maximum rate at 6.25% and 7.75%, respectively.

1975

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 21 times. The average interest rate was 8.27% with the minimum and maximum rate at 7.00% and 10.25%, respectively.

1974

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 22 times. The average interest rate was 13.68% with the minimum and maximum rate at 11.50% and 15.50%, respectively.

1973

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 19 times. The average interest rate was 8.37% with the minimum and maximum rate at 6.25% and 10.00%, respectively.

1970-1972

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 25 times. The average interest rate was 5.85% with the minimum and maximum rate at 4.50% and 8.00%, respectively.

1960-1969

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 15 times. The average interest rate was 6.20% with the minimum and maximum rate at 4.50% and 8.50%, respectively.

1947-1959

During this period, interest rates were adjusted 18 times. The average interest rate was 3.36% with the minimum and maximum rate at 1.75% and 5.00%, respectively.