LOS d: Explain the swap rate curve (LIBOR curve), and discuss why market participants have used the swap rate curve rather than a government bond yield curve as a benchmark.

The interest rate paid on negotiable CDs by banks in London is referred to as LIBOR. LIBOR is determined every day by the British Bankers Association. Swap rate curves are typically determined by dollar denominated borrowing based on LIBOR. The Fed Funds rate is the rate paid on interbank loans within the U.S. Treasury bill and bond rates are used for determining the yield curve, but not for the swap rate curve.

Swap rate curves are typically determined by dollar denominated borrowing based on LIBOR. These rates are determined by market participants and are not regulated by governments. Swap rate curves are not affected by technical market factors that affect the yields on government bonds. The swap rate curve is also not subject to sovereign credit risk (potential government default on debt) that is unique to each country.

Swap rate curves are typically determined by dollar denominated borrowing based on LIBOR. These rates are determined by market participants and are not regulated by governments. Swap rate curves are not affected by technical market factors that affect the yields on government bonds. Swap rate curves are also not subject to sovereign credit risk (potential government default on debt) that is unique to government debt in each country. Thus swap rate curves are more comparable across countries because they reflect similar levels of credit risk. There is also a wider variety of maturities available for swap rate curves, relative to a yield curve based on US Treasury securities, which has only four on-the-run maturities of two years or more. Swap rate curves typically have 11 quotes for maturities between 2 and 30 years.

Due to the size and extensive use of the swap market there has been a shift from corporate credit spreads based on Treasuries to credit spreads linked to swaps.