Source: TW
the Anglo-American Loan was extraordinarily generous by the standards of international finance. The 2% interest rate was far below market rates, and the 50-year repayment period was exceptionally long. For comparison, commercial international loans at the time typically had much higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods.
Some key favorable terms:
- 2% annual interest rate
- 50-year repayment period
- No repayment required if British economy wasn’t strong enough (though this provision wasn’t invoked)
- Grace period before payments had to begin
The main strings attached were policy-related rather than financial:
- Making sterling convertible to dollars (which proved problematic when attempted in 1947)
- Ending Imperial Preference trade arrangements
- Participating in post-war international economic organizations
While the loan did represent a significant debt burden, its terms were deliberately structured to be as manageable as possible given Britain’s post-war circumstances. This reflected both American strategic interests in maintaining a strong Britain and a recognition of Britain’s sacrifices during the war years before US entry.