Before the crisis, the ECB would aim to keep overnight interest rates close to the refi rate.

ECONOMIST: Appraising the European Central Bank

The deposit rate has been a better guide to the policy stance than the refi rate has.

ECONOMIST: Appraising the European Central Bank

She used that money to pay off her bills, but Mitchell says now that refi-loan was a mistake.

NPR: New Century's Borrowers Worry for Homes

The MBA refi-index rose by 4.4% according to the data.

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The cooling of the refi boom could hurt earnings, on balance.

FORBES: Paradise Found

Barclays Capital said Wednesday that it expects just a 25 basis point reduction in the main policy rate, known as the refinance, or refi rate, from the European Central Bank.

FORBES: Barclays Expects 25bp Rate Cut In Europe

The European Central Bank (ECB) certainly remains on tenterhooks with about 30% of futures dealers pricing in a refi-rate (refinancing rate) cut on Thursday.

FORBES: Eurozone Economy Keeps the House Divided

Keeping the totemic refi rate above zero may be seen as necessary to prevent inflation expectations from drifting up.

ECONOMIST: Appraising the European Central Bank