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
How much does it cost to open a small business? It depends on your industry.
Principal-only payments can help you pay down your car loan faster.
Gathering documents in advance can save you time when applying for a business loan.
Gather all the documents you need before applying for startup loans.
Many lenders offer lines of credit that top out at $500,000 or less.
Learn how much you can borrow with startup loans, including SBA loans for startups.
These steps can help you succeed in buying a certified pre-owned car.
Union members are fighting for higher wages and improved benefits — but will this impact vehicle costs?
We appreciate your feedback
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.