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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

“Interest rates are high and are unlikely to come down quickly. Consumers should lean into this by aggressively paying down high-cost debt and padding emergency savings. Those with less debt and more savings will be best positioned to weather whatever the economy throws at us in the months ahead.”

– Greg McBride, CFA

Fed holds interest rates steady, resisting pressure from Trump

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, with policymakers stuck in a prolonged wait-and-see mode as President Donald Trump’s tariffs leave them wary of cutting borrowing costs too soon.
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
Greg McBride

Greg McBride, CFA Arrow Right Icon

Chief 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

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Federal Reserve Jerome Powell gives a post-meeting press conference
The Fed’s move is the biggest increase since 1994 and undoubtedly raises the risks of a recession.
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ederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies at a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing
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Every financial decision you make is impacted by the Federal Reserve.
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Businesses may now be starting to pass along higher costs from tariffs to consumers.
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Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
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Jerome Powell, chair of the US Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
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Federal Reserve Chair Powell Holds Press Conference On Interest Rates
Bankrate’s experts are reacting live to the Fed’s latest interest rate decision.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
Image of Jerome Powell above the Federal Reserve Building.
A July rate cut may be off the table, but could a cut in September still be in play?
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Businesses may now be starting to pass along higher costs from tariffs to consumers.
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A slowdown may already be underway in the once formidable U.S. job market.
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Bankrate’s experts are reacting live to the Fed’s latest interest rate decision.
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This Fed communication tool is important, but be cautious when interpreting it.
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