Rates & InterestBPSLetter B

Basis Points (BPS)

A standard unit of measurement for interest rates and financial percentages equal to 1/100th of 1% (0.01%).

Overview & Practical Application

A Basis Point (abbreviated as bps, pronounced "bips") is a standardized unit of measure used in financial trading, bond pricing, and interest rate discussions to eliminate ambiguity when discussing percentage changes.

Because "percent change" and "percentage point change" are frequently confused in casual conversation, financial professionals use basis points: - 1 Basis Point (1 bps) = 0.01% = 0.0001 - 10 Basis Points (10 bps) = 0.10% - 25 Basis Points (25 bps) = 0.25% (a standard Federal Reserve rate adjustment) - 100 Basis Points (100 bps) = 1.00%

Real-World Underwriting Example

Scenario: A mortgage interest rate increases from 6.25% to 6.50%.

Calculation:
Change = 6.50% - 6.25% = 0.25 percentage points.

Takeaway: Traders and loan officers say the rate increased by "25 basis points" (25 bps).

Key Underwriting Takeaways

  • Eliminates confusion between relative percentage changes and absolute percentage point shifts.
  • 100 basis points equals exactly 1.00% percentage point.
  • Commonly used to express loan origination fees, bond yield spreads, and central bank interest rate decisions.

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