Publications may also refer to the Wall Street Journal Prime Lending Rate or the WSJ Prime Lending Rate. In addition to commercial loans and credit card rates, many consumer loans are based upon the Prime Rate, including credit products like home equity loans, car loans, and personal loans. The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (WSJ Prime Rate) is a measure of the U.S. prime rate, defined by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as "the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 70% of the 10 largest U.S. banks". It is not the "best" rate offered by banks. It should not be confused with the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve, though these two rates often move in tandem. Prime Rate Forecast At the March 18, 2020 FOMC monetary policy meeting, and in response to the continuing and global Novel COVID-19 coronavirus emergency, we believe the Fed will take the rare and extraordinary step of cutting its key benchmark interest rate -- the target range for the benchmark fed funds rate-- by 100 basis points, to a target range of 0% - 0.25%.