The federal funds rate, which is set by the central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight.
As the federal funds rate rises, the prime rate does, too, and credit card rates follow suit.
After a prolonged period of rate hikes, the average credit card rate is now over 20%, on average — an all-time high — up from 16.34% one year ago.
As the federal funds rate rises, the prime rate does, as well, and these rates follow suit.
Federal student loans are already at 4.99%Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by rate hikes.