Rising Interest Rates: What Does It Mean?

If you read financial headlines, you’re probably aware that interest rates have been trending upwards. Let’s set the record straight on what rising prime interest rates mean for your finances.

The prime interest rate is the rate the Federal Reserve charges financial institutions to borrow from it. It influences many other financial prices that are only of concern to investment bankers, professional investors, and other economic enthusiasts. Here are some key ways the prime rate hikes can affect you!

Lock In Your Rate

The Federal Reserve is planning to continue to increase interest rates as the economy continues to improve. Fortunately, you can refinance your mortgage into a fixed-rate loan and take advantage of still-low interest rates. As interest rates continue to rise, your fixed-rate mortgage will stay the same, meaning your savings will increase as time goes on.

Get Out Of Your ARM

Many people opted for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) when interest rates were historically low. These mortgages often have much better rates for an introductory period, usually five years, before adjusting to a new rate. The rate the Federal Reserve charges determines the new rate. This means the rate on your ARM may go up as well. Worse yet, the rising rates could make your monthly mortgage payment unpredictable, putting you in a bit of a budget bind.

Balance Your Portfolio

Rising interest rates will cause credit availability to decrease. Companies will find it more challenging to expand, and their growth will slow. This slowing of growth may lead to a decline in stock prices.

However, as interest rates rise, bond rates will also increase. That will lead to an increase in their price as more investors chase those rates. Individual investors need to ensure their portfolios are properly balanced to take advantage of changing market conditions. Speaking to a financial adviser to ensure your assets are where they need to be will help keep your investments growing at a healthy rate.

Save More

The Federal Reserve interest rate also affects the rates that financial institutions are able to offer account holders. As it becomes more expensive to borrow from other institutions, it’s more profitable for those institutions to “borrow” from their members in the form of certificates and savings accounts. As interest rates continue to rise, it’ll be increasingly more profitable to sock your money away in an interest-bearing account.

If you’ve been putting off opening a certificate or increasing the deposits in your share account, now is an excellent time to consider it. With a 12- or 24-month certificate, you can take advantage of rising interest rates while still leaving yourself the flexibility to re-invest once interest rates rise again.

Refinance Your Debt

The service charges on several kinds of debt are tied to the prime rate. Notably, credit cards and private student loan rates may increase as the prime rate continues to climb. That makes now a great time to think about refinancing.

Take advantage of currently low-interest rates with several strategies. A home equity line of credit can help bundle your high-interest, unsecured debt with your low-interest mortgage. A personal loan for refinancing can also help secure a better interest rate. Other options exist, and the sooner you speak with a debt counselor or other financial professional, the better off you’ll be.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the financial terminology surrounding news events like rate hikes. That’s why it’s best to have an advocate in your corner to help you figure out what to make of a changing economic landscape. Talk to your bank or credit union to get in touch with a financial professional who can advise you on prudent financial management. You can always be a little smarter with your money, no matter your circumstances.

This article is for educational purposes only. WeStreet Federal Credit Union makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as legal, tax or financial advice. Nor does the information directly relate to our products and/or services terms and conditions.