The London Interbank Bid Rate (LIBID) once played a subtle yet important role in global finance, influencing the cost of borrowing and lending among the world’s biggest banks. If you’ve worked in finance or banking, you might remember LIBID being quoted alongside its more famous sibling, LIBOR. But as of 2025, LIBID is a relic—part of a vanished landscape of interbank benchmarks. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what’s replaced it.
LIBID Explained: The Silent Partner of LIBOR
LIBID was the rate at which banks in London were willing to accept deposits from other banks. In contrast, LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) reflected the rate at which they would lend to each other. The spread between these rates gave insight into liquidity and risk in the banking system. For decades, both rates helped underpin everything from corporate loans to derivatives and financial contracts worldwide.
- LIBID = What banks bid to receive deposits
- LIBOR = What banks ask to lend money
- Typically, LIBID was slightly lower than LIBOR, reflecting the ‘buy-sell’ dynamic of interbank funding
For Australian banks and corporates with international operations, LIBID was occasionally referenced for pricing or valuation, especially when dealing with complex cash management or treasury operations.
Why Did LIBID Disappear?
The end of LIBID is tied directly to the global transition away from LIBOR. After a series of manipulation scandals and a dramatic drop in interbank lending post-GFC, regulators worldwide—including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority—set in motion a plan to phase out LIBOR and its associated rates. By the end of 2021, most LIBOR tenors ceased publication. LIBID, always less visible and never as widely referenced, faded quietly with little fanfare.
Key developments:
- 2021: FCA officially ends support for most LIBOR rates
- 2022-2023: Global financial institutions migrate to risk-free rates (RFRs) like SOFR, SONIA, and Australia’s BBSW
- 2025: LIBID is now considered obsolete and is no longer reported or used in market contracts
This shift was part of a wider push for transparency and robustness in financial benchmarks. The move away from bank-submitted rates to those based on actual transactions means less room for manipulation and more reliability for investors and borrowers.
What’s Next? Benchmarks for 2025 and Beyond
With LIBID and LIBOR gone, the financial world has turned to risk-free rates (RFRs). In Australia, the Bank Bill Swap Rate (BBSW) has become the primary benchmark for floating-rate lending, while internationally, rates like SONIA (UK) and SOFR (US) have taken centre stage. For Australian businesses with exposure to global markets, understanding these new rates is crucial:
- BBSW: Calculated from actual transactions in the Australian bank bill market—now the dominant reference for local lending and derivatives
- SONIA and SOFR: Reflect overnight borrowing costs, based on actual transactions, and used in global contracts
- Transitioning contracts: Any legacy agreements referencing LIBID or LIBOR should have already been updated, but a final audit in 2025 is essential
For investors, corporate treasurers, and finance professionals, this means learning the nuances of these new benchmarks, from how they’re calculated to their impact on hedging and funding costs. The days of quoting LIBID are over, but the need for transparent, reliable benchmarks is greater than ever.
Lessons for Australian Finance in the Post-LIBID Era
The disappearance of LIBID underscores a broader transformation in global finance. Benchmarks must be robust, transparent, and reflect real-world trading. For Australia, this means continued reliance on BBSW and vigilance in monitoring international developments. As we move through 2025, staying on top of benchmark reforms isn’t just a compliance exercise—it’s a competitive advantage.
