SHIBOR

What is Shibor?

Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate - Shibor, is a crucial daily reference rate within China’s money market. This is a wholesale interest rate calculated derived from the interest rates at which banks extend unsecured funds to one another in the Shanghai wholesale, also known as the interbank, money market. The Shibor rates are diverse, covering maturities that span from overnight to a year.

The determination of these rates involves the participation of 18 commercial banks with high credit rating, each contributing their individual rates. To ensure a balanced representation, the four highest and four lowest quotations excluded from the calculation. The remaining 10 rates are then arithmetically averaging, resulting in the final Shibor interbank rate for the specified maturity. This meticulous process is a vital aspect of maintaining accuracy and reliability in the Shibor benchmark.

How Shibor Rate is Determined?

The determination of the Shibor rate involves a meticulous process that spans across eight different maturities, each catering to specific financial needs and timelines.

1. Overnight (O/N SHIBOR). This rate reflects the short-term lending dynamics among banks for periods as brief as overnight.

2. 1 week (1W SHIBOR). A one-week Shibor rate provides insight into the weekly lending dynamics, serving as a benchmark for short-term financial transactions.

3. 2 weeks (2W SHIBOR). The two-week Shibor rate offers a slightly longer-term perspective, capturing the interest rates at which banks lend for this specific duration.

4. 1 month (1M SHIBOR). The one-month Shibor rate extends the timeline, indicating the interest rates at which banks are willing to lend and borrow over a monthly period.

5. 3 months (3M SHIBOR). Shibor’s three-month rate reflects the quarter-year lending dynamics, serving as a benchmark for medium-term financial transactions.

6. 6 months (6M SHIBOR). A six-month Shibor rate offers insights into the interest rates for more extended lending periods, providing a benchmark for mid-term financial transactions.

7. 9 months (9M SHIBOR). The nine-month Shibor rate extends even further, indicating the interest rates at which banks engage in longer-term lending over a nine-month period.

8. 1 year (1Y SHIBOR). The one-year rate is the longest maturity, reflecting the interest rates at which banks lend unsecured funds to each other for a year.

How Shibor Rate is Calculated?

The calculation of the SHIBOR rate involves a collaborative effort among 18 commercial banks, each playing a crucial role in determining this key benchmark. The participating banks include ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, CITIC Bank Corporation, China Everbright Bank, Industrial Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development, Bank of Beijing, Bank of Shanghai, HSBC Bank, Hua Xia Bank, China Guangfa Bank, Postal Savings Bank of China, China Development Bank, and China Minsheng Banking.

To ensure accuracy and fairness in the rate calculation, a specific procedure is followed. The four highest and four lowest offered rates from the contributing banks are excluded from the list. This elimination process helps eliminate outliers and extremes, providing a more representative set of rates for calculation.

Subsequently, the remaining rates, now comprising 10 values, are subjected to a straightforward mathematical average. This averaging process is performed with precision, extending to four decimal places. This meticulous approach guarantees that the Shibor rate accurately reflects the prevailing market conditions, free from the influence of extreme values. The simplicity of the mathematical average contributes to the transparency and reliability of the Shibor benchmark, making it a trusted reference point for various maturities within the interbank market.

What is Shibor Used For?

Shibor plays a pivotal role in China’s domestic bond market, serving as a fundamental benchmark for various financial instruments. It is extensively utilized as the reference rate for both placement and floating coupon securities. This usage extends to different contexts within the market, including:

1. Benchmark for Placement. Shibor serves as a benchmark for determining the placement rates in China’s domestic bond market. For instance, when Ping An Bank issues Floating Rate Notes (FRN) with a maturity date of 6th January 2022 in Chinese Yuan (CNY), the simple Shibor rate becomes a crucial reference point.

2. Reference Rate for Floating Coupon Securities. Floating coupon securities, such as those issued by entities like Jining City Urban Construction Investment at 6.8% perpetually in Chinese Yuan (CNY), often use Shibor as their reference rate. The floating nature of the coupon allows it to adjust based on the average values of Shibor over a certain period.

In essence, Shibor’s application goes beyond being a mere interest rate benchmark. It becomes an integral component in the determination of rates for specific financial instruments within the domestic bond market. Whether it’s a straightforward Shibor rate for a particular date or the average values over a defined period, these applications showcase Shibor’s versatility and significance in shaping the financial landscape of China’s interbank market.

Publication and Editions

The publication of Shibor rates is a crucial aspect of providing real-time information to market participants. These rates are typically made public on a daily basis, offering insight into the current state of the interbank market.

The National Interbank Funding Center is instrumental in this process, overseeing the timely release of Shibor rates. The publication of rates ensures that financial institutions and investors have access to up-to-date information, facilitating better decision-making in the dynamic financial landscape.

The China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS) plays a pivotal role in the dissemination of Shibor rates. As a designated platform for the trading and dissemination of financial information, CFETS ensures the efficient and accurate release of Shibor rates to market participants.

CFETS serves as a centralized hub, contributing to the integrity and reliability of Shibor rates by facilitating a seamless process of rate dissemination. Its involvement enhances market transparency and accessibility.

Shibor rates are often published in different editions, each capturing a specific snapshot of the market. The various editions, such as daily or weekly releases, cater to the diverse needs of market participants.

The frequency of editions allows market participants to track changes in Shibor rates over different time intervals. This is particularly significant for those involved in strategic financial planning, as it provides a nuanced understanding of how rates evolve over time.

The impact of different editions extends beyond immediate market reactions. It influences the perception of trends and helps financial institutions and investors anticipate changes in a borrowing cost and overall market conditions.