Fed Meeting Previews and Recaps: LendingTree Expert Analysis

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Federal Reserve meeting preview: September 2026

LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz’s comments ahead of the Sept. 15-16 Federal Reserve meeting:

The Federal Reserve is likely to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point this week, despite President Donald Trump’s calls for lower rates. The president said Sunday that the U.S. should have the lowest interest rates in the world, but persistent inflation has reinforced expectations that the Fed will raise rates by a quarter of a percentage point at this meeting.
A rate hike would be great news for savers, but it would stink for borrowers. It would mean better returns on high-yield savings accounts and could support higher returns on certificates of deposit (CDs), but it would also mean higher interest rates on credit cards.
Assuming the Fed raises rates, most credit cardholders should expect their cards’ APRs to rise by a quarter-point in the next couple of months. Unfortunately, the higher rate will apply to current balances and future purchases. One increase may only add a dollar or two to many borrowers’ monthly bills, but every dollar matters when you’re already struggling with debt. Credit card APRs are already high, so this rate hike would make an already difficult situation more challenging.
The Fed’s impact on mortgages, auto loans and many other types of loans isn’t as direct as its impact on credit cards. We’ve even seen mortgage rates go in the opposite direction of the Fed. However, consumers would be wise to prepare for the worst in the near term and hope for the best. Expect rates to continue to climb in the near future, so plan accordingly.
On the plus side, it’s a great time to shop for an online high-yield savings account, CD or money market account. Returns aren’t at the record levels of a couple of years ago, but they’re still strong by historical standards. A rate hike could push some savings yields higher, although banks may not raise rates immediately or by the full amount of the Fed’s increase.
Whatever the Fed does, remember that you have more power over your interest rates than you think. Shopping around for the best rate before you apply can bring massive savings over the life of the loan. Consolidating debt with a personal loan or 0% balance transfer credit card can reduce the interest you pay on your current debts. You can even call your credit card lender and ask for a lower rate. A recent LendingTree survey found that 84% of cardholders who did so in the last year got their way. All of these moves can make a big difference, but you must take action yourself.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: June 2026

LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz’s comments ahead of the June 16-17 Federal Reserve meeting:

The new Fed chair and the president have made no secret of their desire for lower interest rates, but consumers shouldn’t expect relief anytime soon. Recent inflation data has reinforced the Fed’s cautious approach, making it harder to justify rate cuts in the near term. Still, with so many economic and geopolitical wild cards in play, the outlook can change quickly. What seems unlikely today could look very different in a few months.
Americans should expect borrowing costs to remain higher than they’d like for the foreseeable future. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for the Fed to ride to the rescue. One of the best ways to lower the rate you pay is to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders. Unfortunately, far too few Americans do so, even though the savings can often dwarf the impact of a typical Fed rate cut.
Mortgage rates have climbed sharply after briefly dipping below 6% earlier this year, and that’s the last thing prospective homebuyers needed. Affordability was already a major challenge, and higher mortgage rates only add another obstacle during what’s typically the busiest homebuying season.
Credit card rates held steady this month, and there’s little reason to believe they’ll fall meaningfully anytime soon. Credit card APRs rarely move much unless the Fed forces the issue. With rate cuts looking unlikely in the near term, consumers should expect borrowing on plastic to remain painfully expensive.
If there’s a silver lining to higher rates, it’s that savers can still earn meaningful returns on their cash. Higher rates are bad news for borrowers, but they’re good news for people with money in the bank. Anyone keeping substantial savings in a traditional account at a major bank should compare options, because an online high-yield savings account can often pay many times more in interest.
Hope for the best, but budget for the worst. No one knows what’s ahead, but consumers should build their budgets assuming prices and borrowing costs will stay elevated. That may require some difficult choices in the short term, but it’s far better to be pleasantly surprised than to be caught unprepared.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: April 2026

The Federal Reserve isn’t coming to the rescue anytime soon, so Americans should plan for interest rates to stay higher for longer than they’d like.
At this point, the Fed is in wait-and-see mode, and that likely means no immediate rate cuts. Until inflation shows more consistent, sustained progress, borrowers shouldn’t expect any meaningful help from the Fed.
Mortgage rates are falling again after spiking earlier this month, and that’s good news for Americans in this peak homebuying season. Still, all the uncertainty around geopolitical tensions and the global economy means that more volatility is likely, so buyers should be prepared.
Unfortunately, credit card rates have largely stopped falling, leaving them still extremely high. Without Fed rate cuts, there’s not much reason to expect meaningful declines anytime soon, so carrying a balance will remain very expensive.
- The average APR on a new card offer is 23.75%, unchanged from the previous month. That snapped a six-month streak of decreases dating back to when the Fed began signaling a shift toward rate cuts last fall.
Auto loans are becoming a bigger financial strain for many Americans, and long loan terms are a major reason why. A recent LendingTree report found that a third of U.S. borrowers with active auto loans have financed them for more than six years. That’s significant. Extra-long loans can feel like a lifeline at first, but they often cost borrowers thousands more in interest and increase the risk of being underwater for years.
Borrowers are leaning more on buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans. A recent LendingTree report found that more people are paying late, taking out multiple loans at once and using BNPL to buy essentials like groceries. That’s not a sign of a healthy consumer.
This higher-rate environment isn’t all bad — it’s still a great time to be a saver. Yields on high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are down from their peaks of a few years ago, but they’re still strong compared to what we’ve seen for most of the past decade.
The Fed’s moves matter a lot, but consumers have more control than they think. Shopping around, improving your credit and even negotiating with lenders can often have a bigger impact than waiting on a Fed rate cut. In this environment, taking matters into your own hands can save you real money.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: March 2026

Anyone hoping for the Federal Reserve to ride in and save them from high interest rates anytime soon is probably going to be disappointed. The Fed is almost certain to leave rates unchanged in March — and again in April — meaning Americans seeking relief will likely have to take matters into their own hands.
Mortgage rates dipped below 6% briefly, but they’ve climbed again in recent weeks. With global uncertainty, a shaky economic outlook and the Fed’s likely pause on rate cuts, I expect mortgage rates to remain relatively volatile. The good news, however, is that rates have already fallen enough in the past year to make refinancing a real opportunity for many Americans.
Credit card rates have fallen for six straight months, but the Fed’s pause on rate cuts could bring that streak to an end. I don’t expect rates to start climbing, though. Credit card rates don’t tend to move much unless forced by the Fed, so I expect that we may see a few months of relative stability in card rates. However, that could all change if the economy takes a turn for the worse.
- Today’s average APR on a new card offer is 23.72%, the lowest since March 2023. That decline is already creating meaningful savings for cardholders. Consider this scenario, with numbers generated using our credit card interest calculator:
  - In September 2024, the average new card APR was 24.92%, a record high. At that rate, someone with a $7,000 balance who paid $250 a month would need 42 months and pay $3,594 in interest.
  - At today’s 23.72% rate, it would take 41 months and $3,297 in interest. That’s a difference of one month and $297 in interest. That’s a big deal.
Americans continue to struggle with auto loans, as high prices and high interest rates take a toll. A March 2026 LendingTree analysis found that 1.99% of consumers with recently active auto loans have a default on record. More than 6 in 10 consumers who’ve defaulted on an auto loan have done so on a loan with a term of at least 72 months.
The rate pause is good news for savers. Rates on certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) have fallen from the highs seen a couple of years ago, but rates should stabilize now that the Fed is pausing rate cuts. That makes it a great time to shop for a HYSA if you haven’t before.
You have more power over rates than you realize — more than a typical Fed rate cut might provide. Shopping around and comparing rates from multiple lenders can save you thousands of dollars on a home or a vehicle, whether you’re buying something new or just refinancing. A 0% balance transfer credit card or a low-interest personal loan can help you dramatically lower how much interest you pay each month. You can even often call your credit card issuer and ask it for a lower rate. It works way more often than you’d imagine.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: January 2026

Here’s what LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz — also the author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life” — has to say about the Federal Reserve’s meeting this week, set for Jan. 27-28.

The Fed is almost certainly hitting pause on rate cuts, which isn’t great news for people dealing with post-holiday debt. Still, rates on several types of loans are at their lowest levels in years and should keep drifting down for a little while longer. That’s a relief at a time when affordability is still a real struggle for many families.
Mortgage rates keep falling and are now at their lowest point in nearly three years. In the coming months, I expect 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages to dip below 6% for the first time since 2022, which should encourage more people to buy homes or refinance. That said, with today’s unpredictable economy and the way mortgage rates bounce around, I don’t expect sub-6% rates to last for very long.
Thanks to earlier Fed cuts, credit card rates are now the lowest they’ve been in almost three years and should continue edging down, at least in the near term.
- The current average rate on a new credit card is 23.79%. That’s the lowest since March 2023 and more than a full percentage point below the record high of 24.92% set in August and September 2024.
- At a 23.79% APR, someone with a $7,000 balance paying $250 a month would pay $3,314 in interest over 41 months before paying it off.
- At 24.92%, that same balance and payment would cost $3,594 in interest over 42 months.
- That’s a difference of one month and $280. Not life-changing, but still meaningful for many households.
Rates on high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are also falling, which isn’t great for savers. Even so, they still pay far more than traditional savings accounts at big banks, and they’re well worth shopping for if you don’t already have one. Even with rates down from their peak, HYSAs remain a strong way to build an emergency fund, save for a down payment or start setting money aside for future expenses. It’s never too early to get started.

Finally, remember that you have more control over your interest rates than you might think. The Fed may not be riding to the rescue anytime soon, but there are still smart moves you can make. A 0% balance transfer card can be a powerful tool for tackling credit card debt. A low-interest personal loan can also help. And don’t underestimate the power of simply calling your card issuer and asking for a lower rate — it works more often than most people expect.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: December 2025

Here’s what LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz — author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life” — has to say about this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, set for Dec. 9-10:

I expect a rate cut of a quarter-point, which would be the third cut of 2025 and the sixth since September 2024. Whether those rate cuts will continue into the new year is anyone’s guess.
Another Fed rate cut to close an unnervingly uncertain year is good news for borrowers. The accumulated savings from the Fed’s moves are starting to add up to real money.
Credit card rates are the lowest they’ve been since April 2023 — and they’re still falling. The reductions could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for debtors. The average APR on a new card offer is 23.96%, still sky-high but well down from last year’s record levels. With a December cut and some card issuers still yet to implement October’s cut, the national average is likely to fall significantly to close 2025 and start 2026. That could lead to $200 to $300 less in interest over the life of a balance than before the Fed started cutting rates in late 2024. Here’s how:
- Before the Fed began cutting rates in late 2024, the average APR on a new card offer was 24.92%. At that rate, someone with a $7,000 balance and $250 monthly payment would take 42 months and $3,594 in interest to pay it off.
- Compare that to today’s average of 23.96% APR. At that rate, it’ll take 41 months and $3,355 in interest to pay off that debt in full — one month and $239 less than it would’ve taken a year ago.
- Drop that APR a quarter-point to 23.71% and the savings go even higher. It’ll still take 41 months, but you’ll only pay $3,295. That’s $299 less than it would’ve cost at the 2024 peak, and that’s real money for those struggling with card debt.
Mortgage rates continue to hover near the lowest levels in more than a year. While there’s no guarantee that the Fed’s move will push mortgage rates lower, there’s reason to be optimistic that homebuyers could see rates below 6.00% in the next year, even if only briefly. That would likely spur more Americans to refinance their current high-rate mortgages and possibly even to consider shopping for a new home. A LendingTree study from November found that refinancing your home at the lowest rate offered could save some homeowners $50,000 or more over their current mortgage.
Lower rates stink for savers. Yet another cut means the days of 4.00% or higher returns on high-yield savings accounts may be ending. They’re still worth signing up for, especially compared to traditional savings accounts at megabanks, but these accounts’ record returns are continuing to fade further into memory. Returns continue to shrink on CDs as well, so those in the market should jump in to lock in today’s rates while they can.
You can maximize your savings by shopping around. There can be significant differences among lenders when it comes to rates and other loan terms. If you don’t take the time to comparison shop, there’s a good chance you’re paying too much. That’s the last thing anyone needs to do today.

Federal Reserve meeting preview: October 2025

Here’s what LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz has to say about this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, set for Oct. 28 and 29:

Another Federal Reserve rate cut would be good news for Americans wrestling with debt. Yes, this cut will likely be small — it’s widely expected to be 0.25 percentage points — but when combined with the previous one and the promise of more, it’s a reason for cautious optimism for debt-weary Americans.
Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest levels in more than a year. While there’s no guarantee that the downward trend will continue, a rate cut might spur more Americans to consider jumping back into the housing market after sitting on the sidelines.
- Home shoppers need to understand that Fed rate cuts don’t always lead to lower mortgage rates. The Fed is just one factor in determining mortgage rates. But at a minimum, cuts are a reason for potential home shoppers to be hopeful about the future.
The average interest rate on a new credit card offer is 24.19%, having fallen for the first time since March in the wake of the Fed’s last cut. That downward trend is only going to accelerate in the next few months, as banks implement the September and (most likely) October rate cuts. Still, even if the Fed steps on the gas in the coming months, credit card rates aren’t going to go from awful to amazing overnight.
- If you have $7,000 in debt on a credit card with a 24.19% APR and pay $250 a month on that card, it’ll take 42 months and $3,411 in interest to pay off that balance.
- Lower that a quarter-point to 23.94% and you’ll need 41 months and owe $3,350 in interest to pay it off. (A savings of one month and $61.)
- Drop it another quarter-point to 23.69% and you’ll need 41 months and owe $3,290 in interest to pay it off. (A savings of one month and $121 from the original calculation.)
For savers, it’s likely time to act to lock in today’s high rates. Yields on high-interest savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are only going to keep dropping. It may be wise to consider a longer-term CD as rates continue to fall.
- If you haven’t shopped around for a high-yield savings account, it’s still worth your time. While yields will be well below the peaks in recent years, they’ll still likely be better than what you’d get from a traditional savings account with a megabank.
People need to understand that they can have a far bigger impact on their interest rates than the Fed will. By comparing rates from multiple lenders, getting a 0% balance transfer credit card or even calling your lender and asking for a lower rate, you can find significantly bigger reductions than you’re likely to ever get from the Fed.

Federal Reserve meeting recap: September 2025

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter-point on Sept. 17 — the first time in 2025. This is good news for those struggling with credit card debt, but not so great for savers.

Here’s what you need to know.

Credit card rates are about to fall

When the Fed moves, card interest rates usually follow, meaning Americans should soon see relief on existing balances and new card offers. While any reduction is welcome news, one rate cut is unlikely to have a significant impact, though.

For example, if you owe $7,000 on a credit card with a 24.36% APR — the average APR on new credit card offers, per LendingTree data — and pay $250 a month on that card, it’ll cost you $3,453 in interest and take 42 months to pay off.

Lower the APR by a quarter-point to 24.11% with the same balance and monthly payments, and it’ll cost you $3,391 in interest and take 42 months to pay off. That’s a savings of $62 over the life of the balance, which is significant but isn’t exactly life-changing either.

Rates for home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are also typically tied to the Fed’s movements, so those should move lower as well after the rate cut.

Impact on other loan rates not as clear

There’s certainly hope that the Fed’s actions will lead to lower rates on mortgages, auto loans, personal loans and other types of loans, but there are no guarantees. That’s because these types of loans’ rates aren’t directly tied to the Fed’s actions the way that credit card and HELOC rates tend to be.

In fact, mortgage rates went up amid the Fed’s rate cuts last fall. However, since mortgage rates have fallen significantly in recent months, there’s reason for optimism that the Fed’s moves will help mortgage rates continue to move lower. Still, that’s far from a sure thing.

Returns on high-yield savings accounts, CDs likely to fall, too

Even though the yields from high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) and CDs are down from highs a year ago, people have still been able to get substantial returns — often 4.00% or higher — throughout 2025. Now that the Fed has begun lowering rates again, those yields are likely to follow suit.

Still, rates won’t change from excellent to awful overnight. It’s still worth your time to shop for a HYSA if you haven’t already done so. It’s also worth considering buying a longer-term CD — perhaps with a maturity of a year or longer — to lock in rates for a little longer. Just make sure you won’t need to access those funds before maturity hits. Otherwise, the penalty costs could outweigh any extra interest you might’ve earned.

You have more power over your rates than the Fed

No, really. It’s true. Simple moves you make can have a far bigger impact on your interest rates than the Fed will.

Comparing mortgage offers from multiple lenders can help you secure a lower rate and save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
Getting a 0% balance transfer credit card can significantly reduce your interest and shorten your payoff time on a transferred balance.
Consolidating debts with a low-interest personal loan can lower your interest rate and reduce the number of bills you have to pay each month.
Calling your credit card lender and asking for a lower interest rate can be a big step. A 2025 LendingTree study found that 83% of cardholders who asked for a lower APR on a credit card in the past year got one, and the average reduction was more than 6 percentage points.

You have much more power over your money than you think. While there’s no guarantee these steps will be successful — for example, you may need to have a credit score of 680 or higher to get a 0% balance transfer card — they’re worth the effort.

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