(Yicai Global) Sept. 21 -- The People's Bank of China will keep its benchmark loan prime rate unchanged this month, becoming the fifth straight month.

The one-year LPR will stay at 3.85 percent and that for loans of more than five years will remain at 4.65 percent, according to a statement by the central bank today. The rates have not changed since April’s cuts.

The PBOC introduced the LPR in 2013. The reference rate, which is reviewed each month, is based on the central bank's open market operations, and above all its medium-term lending facility rates.

Editor: Emmi Laine