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☆ Try this higher-interest, lower-tax alternative to CDs while rates are still high
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Investors might consider Treasury bills over CDs for better liquidity and tax benefits: Jason BrowneTreasury bills offer higher yields in some cases and are exempt from state taxes. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Another reason is that Treasurys are exempt from state taxes, which vary, while CDs are not. Perhaps a third reason, depending on where you bank, is that in many cases the shortest duration Treasurys are paying better rates than CDs. Yields on 3-month bills are 4.6%, and while some banks are offering similar or slightly higher rates still, many have much less attractive yields.

Persons: Jason Browne, Browne, —, DepositAccounts Organizations: Service, Alexis Investment Partners, LendingTree, Fed

Savings Accounts and C.D.sWhat’s happening now: The rate reversal is likely to be most disappointing for savers, who have benefited from juicier yields on everything from online savings accounts and certificates of deposit to money market funds. Those are all likely to inch lower, in line with the Fed’s move, but some providers may move faster than others. That usually depends on whether the bank wants to attract new customers by dangling yields that are more attractive than their competitors’ offerings. If you’re considering certificates of deposit, now is probably the time to lock in a decent rate if you haven’t already. Online savings accounts averaged 4.40 percent in August, down from 5.1 percent the same month last year.

Persons: you’ll, Jeff Sommer’s Locations: DepositAccounts.com

It’s been a year since interest rates reached a two-decade high, but they may soon begin to reverse course. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday, while signaling that a cut is possible when policy-setting officials meet again in September. If interest rates are elevated for too long, they risk weakening the employment picture. The central bank uses interest rates to influence the broader economy. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: It’s, ” Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, —, “ Banks, Ken Tumin Organizations: Federal, “ Manufacturers, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Locations: Edmunds

☆ Here are some money moves to make before the Fed starts cutting interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Meanwhile, many investors are sitting on hefty cash allocations, including trillions in money market funds, which are generally still paying above 5%. How to tellAfter a series of rate hikes, investors piled into money market funds, which typically invest in shorter-term, lower-credit-risk debt, such as Treasury bills. Total U.S. money market funds hovered near a record of $6.15 trillion as of July 17, with $2.48 trillion in funds for retail investors, according to Investment Company Institute data. However, money market fund yields will likely fall if the Fed starts cutting rates in September, explained Ken Tumin, founder and editor of DepositAccounts. "Most [money market funds] seem to closely follow the federal funds rate," he said.

Persons: Ken Tumin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Finance, Social, Total U.S, Investment Company Institute

☆ What the Fed’s interest rate decision means for your savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Online high-yield savings accountsThe best bang for your savings can still be had in online high-yield savings accounts at FDIC-insured banks, which yield way more than today’s 0.58% overall average savings rate. As of June 11, the average online savings account rate was 4.40%, according to DepositAccounts.com. If you leave it parked in a regular savings account at 0.5%, you’ll get $50 in interest for a year. As with any savings account, banks can lower the rate they offer — also known as the APY — at any time. Money market accounts and money market fundsMoney market deposit accounts and money market mutual funds are generating yields competitive with the best high-yield savings accounts.

Persons: ’, ”, Greg McBride, ” McBride, you’ll, —, McBride, “, Collin Martin, Martin Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, National Credit Union Share Insurance, Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Treasury, Fed, Schwab Center, Financial Research Locations: New York, Schwab.com, United States

☆ Here are some options to reduce taxes on your savings interest this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Many Americans are earning more on cash after interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve — and that income can trigger a surprise at tax time. "So many people were shocked by their cash interest earned" and taxes owed, said Boston-based certified financial planner Catherine Valega, founder of Green Bee Advisory. Interest from savings accounts or certificates of deposits incurs regular or "ordinary income" taxes, depending on your federal income tax bracket. Some investors also owe state taxes on interest. Meanwhile, some of the biggest money market funds were paying north of 5% as of that date, according to Crane Data.

Persons: Catherine Valega, Trump Organizations: Federal Reserve, Green Bee, IRS, Finance, Biden, Data Locations: Boston

☆ Americans were paid an additional $235 billion in interest in 2023, thanks to the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

High-yield savings accountsThe average interest rate on regular bank savings accounts is roughly 0.5% but can run as low as 0.01% at the biggest banks. By contrast, the average on high-yield savings accounts is well over 4%, according to DepositAccounts.com. If you leave it parked in a regular savings account at 0.5%, you’ll get $50 in interest for a year. As with any savings account, banks can lower the rate they offer — also known as the APY — at any time. Money market accounts and money market fundsAlthough money market deposit accounts and money market mutual funds are both generating yields competitive with the best high-yield savings accounts, there are important differences.

Persons: —, It’s, ”, Greg McBride, you’ll, McBride, “, ” McBride, Ben Bakkum, Collin Martin, Martin Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FDIC, National Credit Union Share Insurance, Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Treasury, Fed, Schwab Center, Financial Research Locations: New York, Schwab.com, United States

☆ Here's why it could be better to buy Series I bonds before May, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

While the annual rate for newly purchased Series I bonds could fall below 5% in May, the assets may still appeal to long-term investors, experts say. Some experts predict the new rate could drop to around 4.27% based on inflation and other factors. Based on the last six months of inflation data, the variable portion will fall from 3.94% to 2.96% in May. The fixed-rate portion is harder to predict, but experts say it could stay close to 1.3%. By contrast, the variable rate stays the same for six months after purchase, regardless of when the Treasury announces new rates.

Persons: there's, Ken Tumin Organizations: Investors, Finance, U.S . Department of, Treasury

☆ New York Community Bank’s online arm is paying the nation’s highest interest rate
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A New York Community Bank stands in Brooklyn on February 08, 2024 in New York City. New York Community Bank , the regional lender that needed a $1 billion-plus lifeline last month, is offering the country's highest interest rate for a savings account. The standout rate could be a sign that NYCB is facing funding pressure, Tumin said. "It looks like they're trying really hard to attract deposits," Tumin said. The bank announced a capital injection from investors led by former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's Liberty Strategic Capital on March 6.

Persons: NYCB, Ken Tumin, Tumin, Steven Mnuchin's Organizations: York Community Bank, New York City . New York Community Bank, Banking, Strategic Capital Locations: Brooklyn, New York City .

☆ Some of the rules that protect wealthy savers' bank deposits just changed. Here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, or FDIC, implemented new requirements for deposit insurance for trust accounts starting April 1. FDIC insurance generally covers $250,000 per depositor, per bank, in each account ownership category. How FDIC coverage of trust accounts has changedUnder the new rules, trust deposits are now limited to $1.25 million in FDIC coverage per trust owner per insured depository institution. Each beneficiary of the trust may have a $250,000 insurance limit for up to five beneficiaries. However, if there are more than five beneficiaries, the FDIC coverage limit for the trust account remains $1.25 million.

Persons: Jamie Grill, Ken Tumin, Tumin, — Organizations: Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, FDIC

☆ How to make high interest rates work for your hard-earned savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

However, that won’t happen if you just let it sit in a traditional checking or savings account that yields next to nothing. High-yield online savings accountsThe average annual percentage yield on bank savings accounts was just 0.52% as of March 13, according to Bankrate. As with any bank savings rate, high-yield savings account rates can change overnight, and the bank may not alert you when it lowers it. But don’t confuse money market accounts with money market mutual funds, which invest in short-term, low-risk debt instruments. Unlike money market deposit accounts, money market mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC.

Persons: ”, Ted Rossman, ” Rossman, Ken Tumin, Schwab, you’d, Tumin, Doug Ornstein, Andy Smith, Ornstein, doesn’t, ” Smith Organizations: New York CNN, Bankrate, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Fidelity, TIAA Wealth Management, FDIC, Securities Investor Protection Corp, Edelman, AAA Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, United States

☆ Where to lock down high interest rates for your savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

High-yield online savings accountsThe average annual percentage yield on bank savings accounts was just 0.57% on January 30, according to a Bankrate survey. But many online FDIC-insured banks are still offering 5% or more on their high-yield savings accounts. As with any bank savings rate, high-yield savings account rates can change overnight, and the bank may not alert you when it lowers it. But don’t confuse money market accounts with money market mutual funds, which invest in short-term, low-risk debt instruments. Unlike money market deposit accounts, money market mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC.

Persons: Doug Ornstein, Schwab, “, ”, Greg McBride, Ken Tumin, you’d, Tumin, Wells Fargo, Andy Smith, Ornstein, doesn’t, ” Smith Organizations: New York CNN, Federal Reserve, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, TIAA Wealth Management, FDIC, Securities Investor Protection Corp, Fidelity, DepositAccounts.com, Treasury, Edelman, AAA Locations: New York, United States

☆ Where Will CD Rates Go in 2024?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Mallika Mitra | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Interest rates that banks pay on certificates of deposit are closely tied to short-term interest rates set by the Federal Reserve. Now that the inflation rate has come down, many investing pros see two possible outcomes for interest rates in 2024: one in which the Fed has little choice but to cut rates steeply, and another in which the Fed can cut rates modestly. Either scenario would eventually result in CD rates decreasing, since rates on CDs tend to quickly follow Fed moves. Where will CD rates go in 2024? But if investors are correct that rate cuts are coming, those high CD rates will come down over the next few years, too.

Persons: Mallika Mitra, “, ”, Lili Vasileff, Leslie Falconio, “ They’re, you’ll, you’re, Jeremy Keil, ” Keil, Keil, “ You’ve, Ally Organizations: Federal Reserve, UBS, Wall, Federal Credit Union, Minnequa Works Credit Union, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration Locations: Greenwich, Conn, U.S, Milwaukee, APYs

☆ Best 6-Month CD Rates for November 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Rates for short-term investments, including CDs, savings accounts and more, have grown steadily more generous in recent months with the Federal Reserve hiking interest rates to fight inflation. Best six-month CD ratesfor NovemberThe market for six-month CDs is large and, as a result, quite competitive. Our six-month CD rate picks reflect the best available on DepositAccounts, com, which tracks roughly 275,000 rates at more than 11,000 banks and credit unions. For instance, you could start out with a six-month CD, along with a one-year CD. When the six-month CD matures, you would then roll over that balance into a new one-year CD.

Persons: Martha C, Haviland, ”, Ken Tumin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Deposit Insurance Corp, Federal, FDIC, National Credit Union Administration

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Keep Rates on Hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Fed last raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, in July to a range of 5.25 to 5.5 percent. In recent weeks, the long-term market rates that influence many types of consumer and business loans have drifted higher, even as the Fed left its key rate on hold. Car LoansHigher loan rates have been dampening auto sales, particularly in the used-car market, because loans are more expensive and prices remain high, experts said. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried an 11.4 percent rate in September, matching a high set earlier in the year. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: LendingTree

☆ Here's what investors should consider now that Series I bonds are paying 5.27%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Series I bonds are now paying 5.27% annual interest through April 2024, up from the 4.3% yearly rate offered since May — and experts have tips for short- and long-term investors. While the new rate is down significantly from the record 9.62% offered in May 2022, investors can now lock in a fixed rate of 1.3%, up from 0.9%, for I bonds purchased from May 1 through Oct. 31. The new fixed rate is the highest since 2007. While the variable rate changes every six months based on inflation, the Treasury may also adjust the fixed rate or keep it the same. The fixed rate stays the same after purchase and the variable rate resets every six months starting on your original purchase date.

Persons: —, Ken Tumin Organizations: Finance, U.S . Department of, Treasury

☆ Best 5-Year CD Rates for October 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

Best 5-year CD rates for NovemberA five-year CD is one of the more common CD terms available. Interest rates on 5-year CDs have not climbed as sharply this year as rates for CDs with shorter terms. Our CD rate picks reflect the best available five-year CD rates we found on DepositAccounts, com, which tracks roughly 275,000 rates at more than 11,000 banks and credit unions. You expect interest rates to fallThe current interest rate environment is great for savers, but if the U.S. economy slows, the Federal Reserve policy makers are likely to cut interest rates in order to stimulate the additional growth. These accounts’ interest rates are variable, so if prevailing interest rates decline, banks will cut their rates and you will earn less money.

Persons: Martha C, —, ”, Ken Tumin, Dillon Haviland Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Federal Reserve, TBH Advisors, FDIC, National Credit Union Administration Locations: U.S, Nashville, Tenn

How to calculate I bond ratesThe Treasury adjusts I bond rates every May and November, and there are two parts to I bond yields: a variable and fixed portion. The variable rate moves every six months based on inflation, and the Treasury can change the fixed rate every six months, but that doesn't always happen. The variable rate resets every six months starting on the investor's I bond purchase date, not when the Treasury announces new rates. Currently, the variable rate is 3.94% and the fixed rate is 1.30%, for a rounded combined yield of 5.27% on I bonds purchased between Nov. 1 and April 30. However, the headline rate may be different than what you receive because the fixed rate stays the same for the life of your bond.

Persons: Ken Tumin Organizations: U.S . Department of, Treasury

☆ Most middle-income Americans still earn less than 3% on savings, survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Despite inflation concerns, most middle-income Americans still aren't leveraging higher interest rates for savings. That's according to a new Santander survey of roughly 2,200 middle-earning U.S. adults, conducted in early September. Some 64% of middle-income Americans are earning less than 3% on their primary savings account, the findings show. But a lack of awareness isn't the main reason why Americans aren't taking advantage of higher rates, according to the survey. However, some 36% of those surveyed have at least $10,000 in savings, Wennes pointed out.

Persons: Biden, Tim Wennes Organizations: Finance, Santander U.S Locations: Santander

November's rate for new purchases could be higher than the current 4.3% interest on I bonds bought through Oct. 31, leaving some investors wondering about whether to buy more. The variable rate adjusts every six months based on inflation and the Treasury can also change the fixed rate or keep it the same. (The fixed rate stays the same for investors after purchase, and the variable rate adjusts every six months based on the investor's purchase date.) Based on inflation, the variable rate in November will likely increase to 3.94% from 3.38%. But they'd need to purchase new I bonds between Nov. 1 and April 30 to score the increased fixed rate.

Persons: Ken Tumin, David Enna, you'll, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Getty, U.S . Department of, Treasury Locations: —

☆ Why It Finally Pays to Keep Your Savings in Cash Again
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Steve Garmhausen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Steve GarmhausenGood news for savers: interest rates on high-yield savings accounts and CDs are beating inflation. Savings accounts and CDs, even the best of them, paid interest rates below the rate of inflation. If inflation is, say, 5% and your savings account pays 1%, $1,000 in cash will be worth just $960 in a year. The average savings account interest rate is just .42% and the typical one-year CD pays 1.72%. “The difference between an online savings account and the average brick and mortar account is huge right now,” says Tumin.

Persons: Steve Garmhausen, ”, Ken Tumin, they’ve Organizations: Federal, Fed, Capital, City Credit Union, Bond Fund, ETF

☆ Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for October 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +18 min

With the Federal Reserve steadily raising interest rates to fight inflation, high-yield savings account payouts have steadily risen, too. After years of near-zero returns, the average savings account rate has risen to 0.45%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Their new High-Yield Savings account offers a 3.5% APY, but you need a hefty $5,000 deposit to open the account. Unlike some high-yield online savings accounts, you earn a high APY—currently 5%—on every dollar in your account. You can conduct immediate electronic transfers between your brokerage account and savings account, and manage both savings and investment activities on a single platform.

Persons: Martha C, it’s, JPMorgan Chase, Wells, Wells Fargo, Ally, Synchrony, UFB, —, Achilles, We’ve, Foster, Alliant, Morgan Stanley, Marcus, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, Charles Schwab Bank Charles Schwab Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Capital, National, One’s, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase JPMorgan Chase &, Chase Savings, Ally, Synchrony, CIT, First Citizens, Bank, Axos Bank, Webster Bank, National Bank, Zelle, Alliance Data Systems, Comenity Capital Bank, FDIC, Foster Care, Navy, Navy Federal, Savings, Morgan Stanley Private, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Bloomberg, Trade, Charles, Charles Schwab Bank, Best Bank, National Credit Union Administration, dateline Locations: Chase, Zelle, Ally’s, Utah, Chicago, U.S, .

☆ Best 5-Year CD Rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Best 5-year CD ratesA five-year CD is one of the more common CD terms available. Our CD rate picks reflect the best available five-year CD rates we found on DepositAccounts, com, which tracks roughly 275,000 rates at more than 11,000 banks and credit unions. For instance, a five-year CD could represent your long-term horizon in a CD ladder also containing one, two, three and four-year CDs. You expect interest rates to fallThe current interest rate environment is great for savers, but if the U.S. economy slows, the Federal Reserve policy makers are likely to cut interest rates in order to stimulate the additional growth. These accounts’ interest rates are variable, so if prevailing interest rates decline, banks will cut their rates and you will earn less money.

Persons: Martha C, —, ”, Ken Tumin, Dillon Haviland Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Federal Reserve, Fed, TBH Advisors, FDIC, National Credit Union Administration Locations: U.S, Nashville, Tenn

☆ What the Fed’s September Rate Decision Means for You
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Steve Garmhausen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Steve GarmhausenThe Federal Reserve elected on Wednesday to keep interest rates steady, and that’s good news for savers: It means they’ll continue to enjoy the best rates in more than two decades. There’s more good news: The market, which just a few weeks ago expected rate cuts to start early in 2024, now doesn’t expect cuts until midyear. “There are several options to get at least 5% on your liquid cash, and that should stay around until the Fed cuts rates,” says DepositAccounts.com founder Ken Tumin. Meanwhile, inflation remains well above the Fed’s preferred rate of 2%, providing another reason for it to keep rates high. The fed-funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend reserve balances to each other overnight.

Persons: Steve Garmhausen, ”, Ken Tumin, “, Michael Yoshikami, Banks, don’t Organizations: Federal Reserve, —, Fed, BMO Alto, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp Locations: Walnut Creek, Calif

☆ Best places to park your cash in a high-rate environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

High-yield online savings accountsThe average annual percentage yield on bank savings accounts was just 0.56%, according to a September 11 survey from Bankrate. But many online, FDIC-insured banks are offering well north of 5% on their high-yield savings accounts. But don’t confuse money market accounts with money market mutual funds. And while money market funds are typically very safe investments, they may have fees and withdrawal restrictions. As of September 19, CDs listed on Schwab.com with durations of three months, six months, nine months, one year and 18 months were all yielding 5.5% or more.

Persons: —, they’ve, Lazetta Rainey Braxton, Braxton, you’ve, ”, Doug Ornstein, Ken Tumin, Schwab, you’ll, Tumin, “, Andy Smith, Ornstein, Don’t, doesn’t, ” Smith Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wealth Partners, TIAA Wealth Management, Fidelity, Treasury, Edelman, AAA Locations: New York, United States

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