Mortgage rates & the fed funds rate
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) adjourns from a scheduled two-day meeting Wednesday afternoon (January 29).
When the FOMC meets, the first question on most people’s minds is:
Will interest rates go down?
The answer this time is most likely no. According to the CME FedWatch tool, there’s almost a 90% chance the Federal Reserve will maintain its current target interest rate. After 3 rate cuts in late 2019, the Fed is comfortable with where interest rates are sitting,
So if you’re shopping for a home, or about to start a refinance, consider yourself alerted.
30-year rates are hovering below 4% and rates for FHA mortgages and VA loans are even lower.
The Fed likely won’t be influencing mortgage rates any time soon, so don’t wait to lock yours in.
Find and lock a low rate today (Jan 29th, 2020)What happens at Federal Reserve meetings?
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets this week to discuss national interest rate policy.
The FOMC is a rotating, 12-person sub-committee within the Federal Reserve, headed by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
The FOMC meets eight times annually on a pre-determined schedule, and on an emergency basis, when needed, as was required between 2008-2011 when the U.S. economy was staving off depression; and in 2013 when the U.S. government failed to raise its debt limit.
The FOMC’s most well-known role worldwide is as keeper of the federal funds rate. But how exactly does the fed funds rate impact your wallet?
The Federal Reserve does not control mortgage rates
It’s a common belief that the Federal Reserve “makes” consumer mortgage rates. In fact, it doesn’t. Mortgage rates are made on Wall Street.
The Federal Reserve has no direct connection to U.S. mortgage rates whatsoever.
>> Related: How mortgage rates are really made
Here’s proof: Over the last two decades, the fed funds rate and the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate have differed by as much as 5.25%, and by as little as 0.50%.
If the fed funds rate were truly linked to U.S. mortgage rates, the difference between the two rates would be linear or logarithmic — not jagged.
That said, the Fed does exert an on today’s mortgage rates.
After its scheduled meetings, the FOMC issues a press release to the public which highlights the group’s economic opinions and consensus.
When the FOMC’s post-meeting press release is generally “positive” on the U.S. economy, mortgage rates tend to rise. Conversely, when the Fed is generally negative with its outlook, mortgage rates tend to fall.
When the economic outlook is generally “positive,” mortgage rates tend to rise. When the outlook is “negative,” rates tend to fall.
Lately, the Fed has shown a mix of positive negative sentiment.
The group has acknowledged that the U.S. economy is improving, but that growth obstacles remain. It has also said that inflation rates remain stubbornly low, which is a concern as well.
The Federal Reserve’s official statement will be released at 2:00 PM ET Wednesday.
Lock in rates before today's Fed announcement (Jan 29th, 2020)The fed funds rate, and how it affects you
The fed funds rate is the prescribed rate at which banks lend money to each other on an overnight basis.
When the fed funds rate is low, the Fed is attempting to promote economic growth. This is because the fed funds fate is correlated to Prime Rate, which is the basis of most bank lending including many business loans and consumer credit cards.
For the Federal Reserve, manipulating the fed funds rate is one way to manage its dual-charter of fostering maximum employment and maintaining stable prices.
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The Fed’s low interest rate policy helped create jobs after last decades economic downturn, and, for now, price pressures within the economy remain low.
Some would say, then that the Fed is managing its dual-charter ably.
However, a low fed funds rate creates wage pressure and promotes risk-taking, both of which can quickly lead to inflation (i.e. rising prices). Plus, wage pressure may be mounting with the unemployment rate at less than 4 percent nationwide.
For this reason, the Federal Reserve ended its zero-interest rate policy in December 2015, raising rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) for the first time in more than a decade.
However, the Fed move did lead to an increase in consumer mortgage rates. On the contrary, mortgage rates dropped more than 50 basis points (0.50%) after the Fed’s late-2015 move.
This is because U.S. mortgage rates aren’t set or established by the Federal Reserve or any of its members. Rather, mortgage rates are determined by the price of mortgage-backed securities (MBS), a security sold via Wall Street.
The Federal Reserve can today’s mortgage rates, but it cannot set them.
Verify your home buying eligibility (Jan 29th, 2020)What the Fed says can still change mortgage rates
The Fed does more than just set the fed funds rate. It also gives economic guidance to markets.
For rate shoppers, one of the key messages for which to listen is the one the Fed spreads on inflation. Inflation is the enemy of mortgage bonds and, in general, when inflation pressures are growing, mortgage rates are rising.
The link between inflation rates and mortgage rates is direct, as homeowners in the early-1980s experienced.
The Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates, but the link between inflation and mortgage rates direct.
High inflation rates at the time led to the highest mortgage rates ever. 30-year mortgage rates went for over 17 percent (as an entire generation of borrowers will remind you), and 15-year loans weren’t much better.
Inflation is an economic term describing the loss of purchasing power. When inflation is present within an economy, more of the same currency is required to purchase the same number of goods.
We experience inflation at the grocery store.
A gallon of milk used to cost $2. Today, it costs $3. More money is required to purchase the same amount of milk because each dollar holds less value.
Meanwhile, mortgage rates are based on the price of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and mortgage-backed securities are U.S. dollar-denominated. This means that a devaluation in the U.S. dollar will result in the devaluation of U.S. mortgage-backed securities as well.
When inflation is present in the economy, then, the value of a mortgage bond drops, which leads to higher mortgage rates.
This is why the Fed’s comments on inflation are closely watched by Wall Street. The more inflationary pressures the Fed fingers in the economy, the more likely it is that mortgage rates will rise.
Lock in rates before today's Fed announcement (Jan 29th, 2020)Federal Reserve FAQ
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the U.S. It’s an independent body (not controlled by the government) tasked with managing the country’s currency and monetary policy, and keeping the economy stable. In more relatable terms, the Federal Reserve influences things like the interest rates you pay on a credit card or business loan. The Fed also has influence over the prices you pay for everyday goods and services, since it helps manage inflation.
In broad strokes, the Fed’s job is to keep American economic growth stable. It does this by managing U.S. currency, setting interest rates for lending, and keeping inflation in check through a variety of monetary policies. Overall, the Fed tries to keep inflation and interest low enough that consumer businesses and spending stay strong — but high enough that the economy doesn’t stagnate.
The Federal Reserve was created in 1913, with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act. In the Federal Reserve’s own words, it was created to “provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system.” Put differently, the Fed uses its influence over monetary policy and banks to help ensure the economy doesn’t grow or shrink too quickly. The goal is to keep prices stable enough that consumers can afford to spend and borrow, and businesses can stay afloat and provide steady employment.
Periodically, the Fed raises interest rates. More specifically, it raises the federal funds rate, which in turn impacts borrowers’ interest rates on things like credit cards and home equity loans, and, more indirectly, fixed-rate home loans. So why does the Fed raise interest rates at all? Because it helps keep inflation in check. When rates are too low, cheap borrowing can overheat an economy. Prices rise as demand for goods and services goes up. But the Fed can counteract inflation by increasing rates, thereby curbing consumption. Conversely, the Fed can fight deflation by lowering interest rates. Cheap money spurs spending and demand for goods, helping to increase prices in an economy.
The federal funds rate or “fed funds rate” is the interest rate banks charge to lend money to one another overnight. Why should you care what rate banks are charging each other? Because the fed funds rate impacts consumer borrowing, too. Take the fed funds rate, add 3% to it, and you generally get the “prime rate” — which is the basis for setting rates on consumer credit lines like auto loans, credit cards, and home equity loans. Not all interest rates are in lock-step with the fed funds rate (mortgage rates are not, for example), but they are all by it.
Importantly, no branch of government controls the Federal Reserve. It’s an independent body made up of a Board of Governors and 12 Federal Reserve Banks across the country. The seven board members, as well as a rotating cast of Federal Reserve Bank presidents, make up the FOMC (Federal Reserve Open Market Committee) — the Fed’s governing body. The FOMC meets every 8 weeks to evaluate interest rate policy.
What are today’s mortgage rates?
The Federal Reserve adjourns from its first scheduled meeting of the year Wednesday afternoon.
Current mortgage pricing isn’t predicted to change, but there are no guarantees when it comes to interest rates.
Take a look at today’s real mortgage rates now. Mortgage quotes are readily available and you can start in minutes.
Verify your home buying eligibility (Jan 29th, 2020)
