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Economics vocabulary · Central Banks and Interest Rates

Hold rates

Meaning in economics, with examples

phraseCommon term

In economics, hold rates means: To leave interest rates unchanged at a central bank meeting, neither raising nor cutting them.

In Turkish: faizi sabit tutmak, faizi değiştirmemek

How it is used

Very common in news about central bank decisions: the bank held rates at 5%, held rates steady, or kept rates on hold. The noun is a rate hold or a hold decision. Reporters usually add whether the decision was expected or surprised the markets.

Example sentences

  1. The central bank is expected to hold rates steady at this week's meeting.

  2. Most economists think the bank will hold rates until inflation falls further.

Common collocations

  • hold rates steady
  • hold rates at
  • keep rates on hold
  • a hold decision
  • policy rateThe main interest rate set by a central bank, which guides the rates that banks charge each other, businesses and households.
  • rate hikeAn increase in the central bank's main interest rate, usually made to cool demand and bring inflation down.
  • rate cutA reduction in the central bank's main interest rate, usually made to make borrowing cheaper and to support growth and jobs.
  • monetary policy committeeThe group of officials inside a central bank who meet regularly to decide on interest rates and other monetary policy tools.

More terms: Central Banks and Interest Rates

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not financial advice.