The Fed Rate: What Is It?
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- Milica Rosoka & Erez Davidov
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The federal funds rate has an impact on more than just banks. It influences the cost of consumer goods like credit cards, student loans, and mortgages in a variety of ways. The interest rate U.S. banks charge one another to borrow or lend money overnight is known as the federal funds rate or fed rate. Banks with excess reserves frequently lend money to other banks that are unable to satisfy the legal reserve requirements. Since banks are required by law to maintain a minimum amount in reserves.
Technically a target range, the federal funds rate is currently between 3.75% and 4%. The rate steadily increased after being at 0% for more than a year during the coronavirus pandemic as the Federal Reserve sought to fight rising inflation.
Rates are decided by the Federal Open Market Committee. The next meeting dates are December 13 and 14. Contact our professionals to find out more!
The Federal Funds Rate: Why Is It Important?
The federal funds rate affects more than just banks’ ability to transmit and receive money. Mortgages and credit cards, two common consumer goods, are also subject to rising interest rates.
Here is why that takes place: The federal funds rate can only be altered by the Federal Reserve. However, because that rate is dependent on other rates and factors, those changes have a significant impact. Bank borrowing becomes more expensive when the fed rate increases. Therefore, borrowing money becomes more expensive for consumers as well. Anything connected to financings, such as credit cards, auto loans, student loans, or mortgages, may become more expensive.
However, in some bank accounts, a rising rate might result in better yields for savers.
What Determines the Federal Funds Rate?
A significant portion of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, including the federal funds rate, is decided upon by the Federal Open Market Committee. A 12-member organization of top bankers from throughout the nation. It holds eight annual meetings and occasionally alters rates between those meetings.
Meeting dates:
- December 13–14, 2022.
- January 31–February 1, 2023.
- March 21 – 22, 2023.
- May 2 – 3, 2023.
- June 13 – 14, 2023.