---
title: "Creating and Configuring Reference Interest Rates"
description: "Reference interest rates are market-based interest rates that serve as the calculation basis for variable interest conditions."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/banking-and-cash-management/cash-management/interest-management/reference-interest-rates
language: en
last_updated: 2026-08-27
---
# Creating and Configuring Reference Interest Rates

## Overview

Reference interest rates are market-based interest rates that serve as the basis for variable interest. [Interest conditions](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/banking-and-cash-management/cash-management/interest-management/interest-conditions.md) use a reference interest rate as the calculation basis and add a premium or discount to it, for example a margin.

> **Note:** First create the reference interest rate and then the interest condition that builds on it.

## Navigation

The **Reference interest rates** workspace can be found under **Banking & Cash Management | Cash management | Reference interest rates** and is displayed as follows, for example:

![The Reference interest rates workspace is displayed.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/banking-and-cash-management/cash-management/interest-management/reference-interest-rates/_images/en/reference-interest-rates.png)
Workspace 'Reference interest rates'

## Creating Reference Interest Rates

To create a reference interest rate:

1. Navigate to **Cash management | Reference interest rates**.

2. Click **+ New** in the upper left corner. The configuration options for a reference interest rate are displayed as follows:

    ![The configuration options for a reference interest rate are displayed.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/banking-and-cash-management/cash-management/interest-management/reference-interest-rates/_images/en/reference-interest-rate-configuration.png)
    Configuring a reference interest rate

3. Configure the reference interest rate according to your requirements (see [Configuring Reference Interest Rates](#configuring-reference-interest-rates)).

## Configuring Reference Interest Rates

You can configure the following options for a reference interest rate:

| Option | Description |
|---------|---------|
| **Reference interest type** | Reference interest type from the master data, for example EURIBOR. Serves for identification when used in interest conditions. You create new reference interest types via the **Plus** icon directly in the dialog. |
| **Date** | Key date on which this interest rate applies. Enables the historical tracking and staggering of reference interest rates over time. |
| **Interest rate** | Reference interest rate as a percentage on the specified key date, for example **2.5000** for **2.5%**. Serves as the basis when calculating variable interest rates. |