In Brief: Biggest Banks Hike Prime Rates to 8.5%

The nation's largest banks boosted their prime rates to 8.5%, from 8.25%, in response to Tuesday's decision by the Federal Reserve to increase its benchmark overnight lending rate by a quarter point.

Chase Manhattan Corp., Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank Corp., J.P. Morgan & Co. subsidiary Morgan Guaranty Trust Co., First Chicago NBD Corp., Bank of Boston Corp., NationsBank Corp., Bankers Trust New York Corp., and Mellon Bank Corp. all raised their prime rates Wednesday.

They fell in line with Citicorp, Banc One Corp., KeyCorp, First Bank System Inc., and Norwest Corp., which raised their prime rates shortly after the Fed's action Tuesday.

By raising the prime rate, the bank companies pass on their higher cost of funds to customers.

An increase in the prime rate means borrowers with adjustable-rate or prime-linked loans can expect to see a 25-basis-point increase in the annual percentage rate they pay on credit card, car, and home equity loans.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER