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Timeline: The federal funds rate at work

 

1980 Federal Funds Rate 1980 Federal Funds Rate 1984 Federal Funds Rate 2003 Federal Funds Rate 2008 Federal Funds Rate 2012 Federal Funds Rate 2007 Federal Funds Rate 1993 Federal Funds Rate 1981 Federal Funds Rate 1974 Federal Funds Rate

Year: 2012

Rate: Remains at a range of zero percent to 0.25 percent

The details: The U.S. economy struggles with a jobless recovery. A turnaround, thanks to billions of dollars in federal government stimulus, is weak because millions without jobs are vying for too few openings.

The Fed keeps pumping money into the economy, trying to boost the recovery. It keeps the federal funds rate in a range of zero percent to 0.25 percent. "We have enormous uncertainty and lack of confidence in our government,'' Meltzer says of the ongoing economic hangover. "Uncertainty is the enemy of investment and (consumer) consumption.''

 

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Mortgage Overnight Averages
Product Rate +/- Last week
30 yr fixed mtg
4.01% 4.04%
15 yr fixed mtg
3.11% 3.18%
5/1 ARM
2.82% 2.88%
30 yr fixed mtg refi
4.00% 4.03%
View rates in your area:
 

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