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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

“Following today’s rate cut, the extent of further easing in 2026 remains unclear.”

– Stephen Kates, CFP

A Deeply Divided Fed Cuts Interest Rates Again — But What Comes Next?

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates again at its final meeting of the year, signaling that Chair Jerome Powell was able to bring enough policymakers over to his side to support a rate cut at a time when both inflation and unemployment are rising. But policymakers see only one rate cut next year, and the committee is still worried about inflation.
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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.

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About Bankrate
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Stephen Kates, CFP Arrow Right Icon

Bankrate Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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The Fed’s policy toolkit has changed almost as much as interest rates itself.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, DC, on Jan. 31
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Illustration of Chair Jerome Powell in front of the podium at a post-meeting press conference
The Fed plays a role in influencing every financial decision you make.
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The share of single women homebuyers continues to outpace the share of single men in the housing market.
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Americans’ credit woes might not turn around until the Fed eventually cuts rates.
Members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors stand with Fed Chair Jerome Powell after he was sworn in for his second term.
The Fed’s board has a powerful influence over interest rates and monetary policy.
couple stressing about the rise of interest rates
The Federal Reserve has finally shown the signs of a rate plateau. However, interest rates are still breaking records, and it’s not a given that personal loan rates will fall anytime soon. While the [...]
Will falling inflation make the Fed in a hurry to cut rates?
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.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is superimposed over the Fed Building, looking pensive
Powell is dealing with the most intense division of his eight years as Fed chair.
Illustration of a US Federal Reserve ink stamp
Every financial decision you make is impacted by the Federal Reserve.
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.
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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.
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.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is superimposed over the Fed Building, looking pensive
Powell is dealing with the most intense division of his eight years as Fed chair.
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.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
See what the nation’s top economists are forecasting in Bankrate’s Q3 survey.
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