How the Federal Reserve impacts personal loans
The Federal Reserve just lowered interest rates for the first time in four years.
Pippin Wilbers is a 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
Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks to decide if a credit union is right for you.
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.
SoFi is an online lender that offers student loan refinancing, parent loans and private student loans for undergraduates and graduates.
LendingClub’s unsecured personal loans offer $1,000 to $40,000 with relatively affordable APRs. It charges origination fees and requires fair credit.
Avant offers fast funding and flexible payment options. Additionally, you don’t need stellar credit to qualify for a personal loan with this lender.
Adjustable mortgages have lower interest rates — at first. But be ready when it resets.
Looking for a nearby Capital One location or ATM? Here’s how to find the closest ones.
PNC Bank is one of the largest banks in the U.S. Here’s how to find one near you.