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The search for a new reference rate

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Baig

    (Boise State University)

  • Drew B. Winters

    (Rawls College of Business At Texas Tech University)

Abstract

The LIBOR manipulation scandal of 2008 spurred extensive policy debates regarding the importance of market-based reference rates. The alternative reference rates committee (ARRC) eventually identified the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) to be a suitable replacement to LIBOR. In this study, we question the underlying process behind the choice of SOFR as a replacement for LIBOR. Both academic literature and regulatory bodies fail to identify a consistent definition and criteria of a good reference rate. We fill in this gap in the literature by providing an empirically testable ‘checklist’ to evaluate any potential money market rate to gauge its suitability as a reference rate. We also carry out an empirical evaluation of various money market rates against our criteria and identify the 1-month AA non-financial commercial paper rate as the best available replacement for LIBOR.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Baig & Drew B. Winters, 2022. "The search for a new reference rate," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 939-976, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:58:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s11156-021-01014-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-021-01014-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Benchmark rate; Calendar regularities; LIBOR replacement; Reference rate; SOFR;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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