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.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Funds Effective Rate (RIFSPFFNB) from 1954-07-01 to 2025-08-04 about funds, federal, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Effective Federal Funds Rate in the United States remained unchanged at 4.33 percent on Thursday August 28. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Effective Federal Funds Rate.

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.

View data of the Effective Federal Funds Rate, or the interest rate depository institutions charge each other for overnight loans of funds.

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.

United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate was 4.33% in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate reached a record high of 7.03 in July of 2000 and a record low of 0.04 in December of 2011. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on August of 2025.

United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average data was reported at 2.199 % pa in Nov 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.188 % pa for Oct 2018. United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average data is updated monthly, averaging 4.593 % pa from Jul 1954 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 773 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.065 % pa in Jul 1981 and a record low of 0.067 % pa in Feb 2014. United States Effective Federal Funds Rate: Month Average 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.M001: Lending and Effective Federal Funds Rates.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates and Price Indexes; Effective Federal Funds Rate (Percent), Level (BOGZ1FL072052006Q) from Q3 1954 to Q1 2025 about federal, assets, interest rate, interest, rate, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States CBO Projection: Effective Federal Funds Rate: Annual data was reported at 3.108 % in 2029. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.084 % for 2028. United States CBO Projection: Effective Federal Funds Rate: Annual data is updated yearly, averaging 3.059 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2029, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.441 % in 2021 and a record low of 1.003 % in 2017. United States CBO Projection: Effective Federal Funds Rate: Annual data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Congressional Budget Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M002: Federal Funds Rates: Projection.

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.

A survey from Q3 2022 suggest concerns among the majority of the United States banking industry about the rising Federal Reserve interest rates. ** percent of the respondents worried that the Fed would overcorrect for inflation by raising the rates too fast and too high. In contrast, ** percent of the respondents were concerned about not raising the rates fast enough. In terms of the timeline, the majority of the respondents expected that the Fed would hit its peak rate in the first half of 2023. Most respondents believed that the peak rate would be between *** and **** percent. As of December 2022, the Federal Funds Effective Rate was *** percent.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit (DFEDTARU) from 2008-12-16 to 2025-09-01 about federal, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Content

More details about each file are in the individual file descriptions.

Context

This is a dataset from the Federal Reserve hosted by the Federal Reserve Economic Database (FRED). FRED has a data platform found here and they update their information according to the frequency that the data updates. Explore the Federal Reserve using Kaggle and all of the data sources available through the Federal Reserve organization page!

• Update Frequency: This dataset is updated daily.

Acknowledgements

This dataset is maintained using FRED's API and Kaggle's API.

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Effective Federal Funds Rate - Historical chart and current data through 2025.

United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 1st Percentile was 4.31% in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 1st Percentile reached a record high of 5.31 in December of 2023 and a record low of 0.01 in March of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 1st Percentile - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Effective Federal Funds Rate: 1st Percentile (EFFR1) from 2016-03-01 to 2025-08-29 about percentile, federal, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Effective Federal Funds Rate: 25th Percentile (EFFR25) from 2016-03-01 to 2025-07-23 about percentile, federal, rate, and USA.

Key information about United States Policy Rate

• United States cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Effective Federal Funds Rate) was set at 4.33 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 4.33 % pa in the previous Jan 2025.
• US Policy Rate averaged 4.33 % pa and is updated monthly, available from Jul 1954 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 22.00 % pa in Dec 1980 and a record low of 0.04 % pa in Dec 2011.

• In the latest reports, US Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills: 3 Months was reported at 4.20 % pa in Feb 2025.
• Its Long Term Interest Rate (Treasury Notes Yield: Constant Maturity: Nominal: 10 Years) was reported at 4.45 % pa in Feb 2025.
• Its Real Effective Exchange Rate was 122.45 in Jan 2025.

United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 25th Percentile was 4.33% in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 25th Percentile reached a record high of 5.33 in March of 2024 and a record low of 0.03 in April of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Effective Federal Funds Rate: 25th Percentile - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.