The benchmark interest rate in the United States was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Fed Funds Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The U.S. federal funds effective rate underwent a dramatic reduction in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate plummeted from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.65 percent in March, and further decreased to 0.05 percent in April. This sharp reduction, accompanied by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program, was implemented to stabilize the economy during the global health crisis. After maintaining historically low rates for nearly two years, the Federal Reserve began a series of rate hikes in early 2022, with the rate moving from 0.33 percent in April 2022 to 5.33 percent in August 2023. The rate remained unchanged for over a year, before the Federal Reserve initiated its first rate cut in nearly three years in September 2024, bringing the rate to 5.13 percent. By December 2024, the rate was cut to 4.48 percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy in the second half of 2024. In January 2025, the Federal Reserve implemented another cut, setting the rate at 4.33 percent, which remained unchanged throughout the following months. What is the federal funds effective rate? The U.S. federal funds effective rate determines the interest rate paid by depository institutions, such as banks and credit unions, that lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight. Changing the effective rate in times of crisis is a common way to stimulate the economy, as it has a significant impact on the whole economy, such as economic growth, employment, and inflation. Central bank policy rates The adjustment of interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a coordinated global effort. In early 2020, central banks worldwide implemented aggressive monetary easing policies to combat the economic crisis. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dramatic reduction of its federal funds rate - from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.05 percent by April - mirrored similar actions taken by central banks globally. While these low rates remained in place throughout 2021, mounting inflationary pressures led to a synchronized tightening cycle beginning in 2022, with central banks pushing rates to multi-year highs. By mid-2024, as inflation moderated across major economies, central banks began implementing their first rate cuts in several years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank all easing monetary policy.

The U.S. federal funds rate peaked in 2023 at its highest level since the 2007-08 financial crisis, reaching 5.33 percent by December 2023. A significant shift in monetary policy occurred in the second half of 2024, with the Federal Reserve implementing regular rate cuts. By December 2024, the rate had declined to 4.48 percent. What is a central bank rate? The federal funds rate determines the cost of overnight borrowing between banks, allowing them to maintain necessary cash reserves and ensure financial system liquidity. When this rate rises, banks become more inclined to hold rather than lend money, reducing the money supply. While this decreased lending slows economic activity, it helps control inflation by limiting the circulation of money in the economy. Historic perspective The federal funds rate historically follows cyclical patterns, falling during recessions and gradually rising during economic recoveries. Some central banks, notably the European Central Bank, went beyond traditional monetary policy by implementing both aggressive asset purchases and negative interest rates.

Policy interest rates in the U.S. and Europe are forecasted to decrease gradually between 2024 and 2027, following exceptional increases triggered by soaring inflation between 2021 and 2023. The U.S. federal funds rate stood at **** percent at the end of 2023, the European Central Bank deposit rate at **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate at **** percent. With inflationary pressures stabilizing, policy interest rates are forecast to decrease in each observed region. The U.S. federal funds rate is expected to decrease to *** percent, the ECB refi rate to **** percent, the Bank of England bank rate to **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate to **** percent by 2025. An interesting aspect to note is the impact of these interest rate changes on various economic factors such as growth, employment, and inflation. The impact of central bank policy rates The U.S. federal funds effective rate, crucial in determining the interest rate paid by depository institutions, experienced drastic changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent slight changes in the effective rate reflected the efforts to stimulate the economy and manage economic factors such as inflation. Such fluctuations in the federal funds rate have had a significant impact on the overall economy. The European Central Bank's decision to cut its fixed interest rate in June 2024 for the first time since 2016 marked a significant shift in attitude towards economic conditions. The reasons behind the fluctuations in the ECB's interest rate reflect its mandate to ensure price stability and manage inflation, shedding light on the complex interplay between interest rates and economic factors. Inflation and real interest rates The relationship between inflation and interest rates is critical in understanding the actions of central banks. Central banks' efforts to manage inflation through interest rate adjustments reveal the intricate balance between economic growth and inflation. Additionally, the concept of real interest rates, adjusted for inflation, provides valuable insights into the impact of inflation on the economy.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit (DFEDTARU) from 2008-12-16 to 2025-07-22 about federal, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for FOMC Summary of Economic Projections for the Fed Funds Rate, Range, Midpoint (FEDTARRM) from 2025 to 2027 about projection, federal, rate, and USA.

From 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to 2.25 percent by February 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of December 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.59 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.27 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data was reported at 2.400 % in Dec 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.400 % for Sep 2024. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.000 % from Sep 2015 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.900 % in Sep 2015 and a record low of 0.100 % in Dec 2020. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M005: Federal Funds Rates: Summary of Economic Projections: Federal Reserve Board.

Towards the end of 2024, all key policy rates in the United States declined. The Federal Funds target range was lowered to 4.75 to five percent - a decrease of 50 basis points - between September and November. It fell further in the following months, reaching a range of 4.25 to 4.5 percent by year-end. The interest rate on reserve balances (IORB Rate) also declined, moving from 4.9 to 4.4. A similar downward trend was observed in the Overnight Reverse Repo Facility Rate (ON RRP Rate) and the Standing Repo Facility Rate (SRF Rate).

Graph and download economic data for Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit (DFEDTARL) from 2008-12-16 to 2025-06-19 about federal, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

The benchmark interest rate in Mexico was last recorded at 8 percent. This dataset provides - Mexico Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data was reported at 2.900 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.600 % for Sep 2024. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.500 % from Sep 2015 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.000 % in Sep 2015 and a record low of 0.100 % in Dec 2020. United States FOMC Projection: Federal Funds Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M005: Federal Funds Rates: Summary of Economic Projections: Federal Reserve Board.

The benchmark interest rate in Russia was last recorded at 20 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Russia Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Brazil was last recorded at 15 percent. This dataset provides - Brazil Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Indonesia was last recorded at 5.25 percent. This dataset provides - Indonesia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data was reported at 3.800 % in Dec 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.800 % for Sep 2024. United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.700 % from Sep 2015 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.600 % in Sep 2015 and a record low of 3.000 % in Sep 2021. United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Range: Y3: Lower End data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G041: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Projection: Federal Reserve Board.

The benchmark interest rate in Switzerland was last recorded at 0 percent. This dataset provides - Switzerland Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data was reported at 4.000 % in Dec 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.000 % for Sep 2024. United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.850 % from Sep 2015 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.700 % in Sep 2015 and a record low of 3.200 % in Dec 2021. United States FOMC Projection: Unemployment Rate: Central Tendency: Y3: Lower End data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G041: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Projection: Federal Reserve Board.

Revenue growth for the Finance and Insurance sector has varied in recent years, as a result of differing economic trends. The sector plays a vital role in facilitating necessary financial transactions between consumers, businesses and government agencies. The core services provided by operators in this sector include providing insurance products needed by businesses and consumers to legally operate corporations and assets; offering, borrowing and depository services needed to finance new projects and safely save money; and investing to create and preserve investors' assets. A wide range of operators in the sector benefited from improving macroeconomic conditions over the past five years. For example, In 2022, the Fed increased interest rates in an effort to curb historically high inflation. Although higher interest rates increased investment income from fixed-income securities for the finance and insurance sector. Recently in 2024, the Fed cut interest rates as inflationary pressured have eased. Reduced interest rates will enable consumers to borrow money at lower interest rates which will increase loan demand although reduced rates will hinder investment income from fixed-income securities for the sector. The Fed is anticipated to cut rates further in 2025, boosting loan demand but hindering interest income from each loan. In addition, the growing prevalence of emerging technologies such as AI and data analytic tools has streamlined operations and helped reduce operational costs. These tools help industry companies identify trends and potential risks more efficiently. Also the growth of mobile and digital platforms has increased customer satisfaction and accessibility, boosting demand for finance and insurance products and services. Over the past five years, industry revenue grew at a CAGR of 3.8% to $7.4 trillion, including a 2.9% jump in 2025 alone, with profit climbing to 23.6% in the same year. Sector revenue will increase at a CAGR of 2.5% to $8.4 trillion over the five years to 2030. As the economy continues to improve, per capita disposable income is expected to increase. This will likely lead to increased financial activity by consumers, which will likely be processed and facilitated by operators in the sector. The Federal Reserve is also anticipated to cut interest rates further. Reduced interest rates will reduce interest income for operators but will increase the volume of loans. In addition, the acquisition of financial technology start-ups to compete in a changing technological and financial environment will increase.

Graph and download economic data for Bank Prime Loan Rate Changes: Historical Dates of Changes and Rates (PRIME) from 1955-08-04 to 2024-12-20 about prime, loans, interest rate, banks, interest, depository institutions, rate, and USA.