The Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady for the second consecutive time at its most recent policy-setting meeting. Since March 2022, the central bank has been increasing interest rates in an attempt to combat high inflation, which peaked at 9.1% last year.
As many experts expected, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, keeping the Federal Funds rate at a target range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest it’s been in 22 years. However, the Federal Reserve has signaled there's still a possibility for another rate hike later this year.
In an official press release, the Federal Reserve stated: "In determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate to return inflation to 2 percent over time, the Committee will take into account the cumulative tightening of monetary policy, the lags with which monetary policy affects economic activity and inflation, and economic and financial developments."
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While inflation is down from its peak last summer, when it surpassed 9%, it’s not at the Fed’s desired 2%. Here's what the Fed's decision means for savings rates.
What does the Fed’s decision mean for savings rates?
When the Fed raises interest rates, typically rates on savings accounts also go up. Therefore, savings rates have been on the rise since the Fed began hiking interest rates last year, with many accounts offering impressive rates.
In fact, some of the top earning high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and CD accounts are offering rates over 5%, and in some cases, 6%. Use the below tool — powered by Bankrate — to compare rates on high-yield savings accounts, as well as CDs, today.
The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates steady means savings rates will likely remain the same as well. However, one more rate hike could happen later this year, which could pull savings rates slightly higher. Keep in mind that if the Fed decides to put a hold on rate hikes for the remainder of the year as inflation starts to cool, rates on savings accounts will likely level off or even go down.
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