Banking
Fed’s interest rate history: The federal funds rate from 1981 to the present
11 min read
The Federal Reserve and Your Money
Interest rates are now on the decline, but borrowing costs are still the highest in over a decade. Here's what it means for your wallet.
The latest on the Fed from Bankrate’s experts
“A slower pace of interest rate cuts in 2025 means borrowers will have to continue doing the heavy lifting of aggressive debt repayment. Borrowing rates for variable rate debts such as credit cards and home equity lines of credit are high and won’t come down fast enough to provide meaningful relief.”
Fed lowers interest rates for third time this year, signals slower pace of cuts in 2025
The Federal Reserve reduced borrowing costs again at its final gathering of 2024, but officials penciled in two fewer cuts for the year ahead as inflation stays stubbornly above their target.
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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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You can find a CD account that significantly out-earns the national average if you shop around among banks.
If you have credit card debt, your interest rates are likely to remain high in 2025.
It just might be. But don’t forget the fundamentals of how home equity loans work.
If you’re looking at HE loans or have a variable-rate line of credit, pay attention to the Fed.
The Federal Reserve’s decisions have ripple effects, including for mortgages.
This Fed communication tool is important, but be cautious when interpreting it.
The Fed’s latest cut means cheaper business loans. Here’s what it means for you.
The Federal Reserve just lowered interest rates for the first time in four years.
A recession hasn’t happened yet, but it’s likely still coming, economists say.
Economists are taking the Fed at its word, penciling in more rate hikes.
A resilient job market makes it hard to tell if it’s the last call to negotiate.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said interest rates “may not be far off” from their peak.
Lawmakers have less than a month to raise or suspend the debt ceiling.
The cost of high inflation is even greater than rising prices.
The Fed won’t want to declare victory in its inflation fight too soon.
Recession odds stalled to the start the year — but those risks are back.
Surveyed economists predict lower recession odds — but higher inflation — for 2025.
Fed officials, however, are uncertain about how many times they’ll be able to cut borrowing costs in 2025.
This Fed communication tool is important, but be cautious when interpreting it.
Consider a savings account with an APY above the inflation rate.
Savings yields topping inflation could let you hold onto your purchasing power.
The key benchmark has been as high as 20 percent — and as low as 0 percent.
Rate cuts mark a new era for the Fed. Here’s what you should do as a consumer.
For savers, here’s what to consider when the Fed lowers interest rates.
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