Thursday, December 20, 2018

US Interest Rates


The Federal Reserve wants to increase the interest rates they charge to loan to banks. The banks then offer loans to individuals and corporations at interest rates that are roughly double the federal fund rate.

The current federal funds rate rose to 2.25 percent when the Federal Open Market Committee met on September 26, 2018. This benchmark rate is an indicator of the economy's health. The Federal Reserve signaled it would raise rates to 2.5 percent in December 2018, 3.0 percent in 2019, and 3.5 percent in 2020.

The average mortgage interest rates are 4.49% for 30 year loans and 3.92% for 15 year loans.

Current 5 year auto loans are based on credit scores and range from 4.25% to 7.5%.

Student loan interest rates are 5.05% for undergraduate and 6.6% for graduate courses.

The increases in interest rates planned by the Federal Reserve will result in increases in the interest rates charged for loans to individuals and corporations and adversely affect the US economic recovery that began in 2017.

The Federal Reserve reported $4.137 trillion in assets as of 10/24/18. The Fed buys Treasury Bills that pay 2.825%. 

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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