How the Federal Reserve impacts personal loans
The Federal Reserve held rates steady at its January 2026 meeting.
Pippin Wilbers is a former Bankrate editor and a Certified Credit Counselor™. He joined the Bankrate team in 2021 and works on helpful content about banks, consumer loans and mortgages. Pippin is passionate about helping borrowers stay up-to-date and feel empowered to make the best choices in a changing and challenging borrower environment.
Pippin stays on top of industry news sources, such as TransUnion and Experian. Working with Bankrate's skilled reporters, he analyzes industry data and the latest political moves and asks: "What does this mean for borrowers?"
Pippin lives in Denver. Before joining Bankrate, he brought vital news to his Missouri community as a small-town newspaper reporter. In his spare time, he enjoys foraging for mushrooms, reading and dabbling in amateur entomology.
It's a strange time for consumer finances, with the Fed lowering rates under political pressure while both inflation and mortgage rates stay stubbornly high. Even the experts have a tough time predicting what will happen next. But the fundamentals of personal finance haven't changed: Put your savings in the highest-yielding account you can find, keep your credit spending as low as you can and compare before you commit to any credit product.
The better you understand how loans work and how lenders think, the better equipped you are to save on your loan.
— Pippin Wilbers
The option to apply in-person or online is a major perk to Valley Bank, but its loans are only available in some states.
Skyla Credit Union, which recently merged with Parsons FCU, serves drivers looking for new, used or refinance auto loans with low rates.
CDs often pay better interest than savings accounts and can amp up your nest egg.
Bank account bonuses can be a rewarding way to earn some extra money for trying a new bank.
Klarna is a buy now, pay later app that has flexible eligibility requirements and bases loan amounts on repayment history.
Learn when a CD is worth it, when it is not, and alternatives to consider in 2025.
Refinancing can leave you with better rates or terms. Consider working with OpenRoad Lending for dedicated customer support.
Forgiveness at the end of an IDR plan will be taxable beginning in 2026.
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