U.S. and global interest rate report
February 01, 2012
Interest rates determine the costs charged for the use of money. The calculation for an interest rate is a simple expression of interest payments as an annualized percentage of principal.
Benchmark interest rates are set by entities such as the Federal Reserve, governments and banks. They are used to peg other consumer and commercial interest rates, such as the rates on mortgages, credit cards and loans. They also influence what is earned on CDs, savings accounts, money market accounts and checking accounts.
Below is the latest MoneyRates data on current interest rates.
Current US interest rates
Prime rate: 3.25%
Discount rate (primary): 0.75%
30-year fixed mortgage: 3.98%
15-year fixed mortgage: 3.24%
Federal funds rate: 0-0.25%
Broker call rate: 2.00%
6-month Treasury bond: 0.09%
2-year Treasury bond: 0.22%
5-year Treasury bond: 0.73%
10-year Treasury bond: 1.84%
6-month CD: 0.53%
1-year CD: 0.77%
Foreign Prime Rates
Canada: 3.00%
Euro zone: 1.00%
Japan: 1.47%
Switzerland: 0.50%
Britain: 0.50%
Australia: 4.25%
Foreign Central Bank Rates
China: 6.56%
Hong Kong: 0.50%
India: 7.50%
Japan: 0.00%
Australia: 4.25%
European Monetary Union: 1.00%
Switzerland: 0.00%
Canada: 1.00%
United Kingdom: 0.50%
Brazil: 10.50%
Argentina: 9.00%
Updated: February 1, 2011
