Personal Finance Blog By MoneyRates - Bank Rate
Bank Rates Need Rethinking with New Inflation Numbers
November 18, 2009
As expected, October's inflation number represents something of a turning point for the inflation environment. Depositors now need to watch closely to see how savings account rates, money market rates, and CD rates respond. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October of 2009 increased by 0.3%. That's a fairly normal monthly increase for inflation, but it [...]
A Delicate Balance: Regulation, Stability, and Bank Rates
October 21, 2009
It's understandable that last year's banking crisis should spark a renewed drive for financial regulation. It's unfortunate that the legislative responses so far seem to be barking up the wrong tree. As promised (or threatened, depending on how you look at it) Senator Christopher Dodd introduced legislation designed to limit banks' ability to charge overdraft fees. [...]
Steady Bank Rates Belie Erratic Interest Rate Environment
October 12, 2009
Savings account interest rates have been stuck in a rut, languishing at around the 1.50% level. This lack of action would make you think there was nothing going on with interest rates, if not for the erratic behavior of Treasury yields over the past week. 10-year Treasury yields slid to their lowest level in nearly five [...]
Renewed Attention on Savings Rates
October 7, 2009
National Save for Retirement Week starts October 18th, and it is a good reminder for Americans to take more personal responsibility for their savings rates. Underlying many of the hard-luck stories from the recent financial crisis is a consistent theme: too many people exposed themselves to possible setbacks by not building up enough of a savings [...]
Pending Rule Will Make Bank Rates A Possible Sign of Health
September 28, 2009
Banks offering high interest rates on savings accounts, CDs, and other deposits are attractive to savvy bank shoppers anyway, but a pending FDIC rule could make them even more appealing. Effective January 1, 2010, the FDIC will put a cap on bank rates offered by institutions categorized as "less than well capitalized." The new rule addresses [...]
