Reference period

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Interest rates - quotation.

A period of time in relation to which an amount of interest payable or receivable is quoted.

In wholesale markets, this period is almost always a year.


Interest - counting days - conventions
"The day count convention determines how interest accrues over time in a variety of transactions...
In wholesale markets interest is usually expressed to accrue at a rate per annum (the reference period).
It is often due and payable at shorter intervals, usually a number of months (the interest period)."
Day count conventions - the Treasurer's wiki.


In retail markets, reference periods - especially for borrowing - may sometimes be shorter.

However, it is generally mandatory for the provider of retail credit to quote an Annual Percentage Rate - or other appropriate comparator rate, depending on the jurisdiction - in addition to the reference rate.


See also