<p>Negative interest rates are a monetary policy tool used by central banks to stimulate economic growth. Unlike traditional interest rates, which are positive, negative interest rates charge borrowers for lending money.</p>

<h2>How It Works</h2>
<p>Central banks set the interest rate at which they lend money to commercial banks. When this rate goes below zero, banks are charged for keeping their excess reserves with the central bank. This encourages banks to lend more to businesses and consumers, as they incur a cost for not doing so. The idea is that by making it expensive for banks to hold excess cash, they will instead lend it out, increasing economic activity.</p>

<h2>Why It Matters</h2>
<p>Negative interest rates can be a powerful tool in fighting economic downturns. By encouraging lending and investment, they can boost consumer spending and business activity, helping to pull an economy out of recession. However, they also come with risks, such as potential distortions in financial markets and uncertainty about their long-term effects. For instance, in the Eurozone, some banks have passed on negative rates to their customers, leading to complaints about being charged for saving money.</p>