Negativzins

negative interest rate

noun neh-gah-TEEF-tsins Rare

Usage Note

Negativzins describes an interest rate below zero, meaning depositors pay to hold money at a bank or that borrowers technically receive money for taking a loan. The ECB introduced negative deposit facility rates in 2014; German savers and banks reacted with strong criticism.

Examples

"Auf Großeinlagen berechneten viele Banken in der Niedrigzinsphase einen Negativzins."

Natural Translation

Many banks charged a negative interest rate on large deposits during the low-interest phase.

Literal Translation

On large-deposits calculated many banks in-the low-interest-phase a negative-interest-rate.

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