Net Interest Rate Spread

In banking, the net interest rate spread is the difference between interest earned on loans, securities, and other interest-earning assets and the interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities.

For example, let's assume XYZ Bank earned a weighted-average interest rate of 5% on its assets and paid a weighted-average interest rate of 3% on its liabilities. XYZ Bank's net interest rate spread would equal 5% - 3% = 2%. Publicly traded banks typically report their interest rate spreads in their regular disclosures.

Intuitively, net interest rate spread is similar to profit margin. In general, the larger a bank's interest rate spread, the more it earns and the more it is therefore worth. When interest rates change, however, the interest a bank receives on its assets and pays on its liabilities fluctuates and can decrease income. Thus, it is important to monitor changes in net interest rate spreads as well as the size of those spreads.