Skip to Main Content

The Federal Reserve and Your Money

Interest rates are a little lower than they used to be, but they’re still near the highest levels in over a decade. Here’s what it means for your wallet.

The latest on the Fed from Bankrate’s experts

“Americans who are hoping for lower borrowing costs should reset their outlook to a world of largely stable interest rates. Making financial decisions based on the assumption of imminent change is likely to lead to frustration.”

– Stephen Kates, CFP

The Fed didn’t cut interest rates. Here are 5 things to watch next.

The Federal Reserve left interest rates alone at its first meeting of the year, keeping borrowing costs at a multiyear high for Americans as policymakers grow more cautious about making future cuts.
Read more

Recent interest rate trends

Every time the Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates, borrowing and savings rates move in lockstep. Compare Bankrate data to see how the latest Fed decision is impacting rates on key consumer products.

Experts in all things finance

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

About Bankrate
Stephen Kates headshot

Stephen Kates, CFP Arrow Right Icon

Bankrate Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster Arrow Right Icon

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

Mark Hamrick Arrow Right Icon

Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a post-meeting press conference
The Fed’s quest to defeat inflation, however, is nowhere near finished.
The gasoline price sign and fuel pumps for the Turkey Hill gas station in Pennsylvania
Americans don’t have many places to hide from high inflation.
couple working on home finances
Learn about five ways in which you can break out of the credit card debt cycle.
Jerome Powell at frowning while standing at podium
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said interest rates “may not be far off” from their peak.
Picture of the front of the Federal Reserve building
A look at what a bank bailout is with some examples of notable bank bailouts from the past.
Illustrated image of a house with graphics in the background hinting at rising rates
Will the long-awaited decline begin this month?
A picture of various cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are managed through what’s called a distributed ledger such as blockchain.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a press conference
The Fed won’t want to declare victory in its inflation fight too soon.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in Washington, DC.
The big question: How long will the Fed be on hold?
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference.
Rates are falling, and finance pros say it may be time for Americans to rethink some strategies.
Illustration of gift box surrounded by an up arrow representing higher inflation.
Here’s what to skip and what to buy — and how to tariff-proof your budget.
Illustration of woman holding a briefcase in front of two bar graphs representing the deteriorating labor market
It’s a tale of two job markets: secure for job holders, recession-like for job seekers.
Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Borrowers often don’t notice small rate cuts, and a weakening economy could dull the relief.
Illustration of a US Federal Reserve ink stamp
Every financial decision you make is impacted by the Federal Reserve.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaking at a podium at the Fed's post-meeting press conference.
Officials are cutting rates to shore up the job market, but it’s not without risk.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in Washington, DC.
The big question: How long will the Fed be on hold?
Rates could soon be within range of their pre-pandemic peaks. There’s a catch.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference.
Rates are falling, and finance pros say it may be time for Americans to rethink some strategies.
Illustration of gift box surrounded by an up arrow representing higher inflation.
Here’s what to skip and what to buy — and how to tariff-proof your budget.
Illustration of woman holding a briefcase in front of two bar graphs representing the deteriorating labor market
It’s a tale of two job markets: secure for job holders, recession-like for job seekers.
Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Borrowers often don’t notice small rate cuts, and a weakening economy could dull the relief.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaking at a podium at the Fed's post-meeting press conference.
Officials are cutting rates to shore up the job market, but it’s not without risk.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc
qa - v8.55.1- space 102997 (production)