• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Personal FinanceInterest Rates

The Fed announced its highest interest rate hike in 28 years. Here’s what it means for your wallet

Alicia Adamczyk
By
Alicia Adamczyk
Alicia Adamczyk
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
Alicia Adamczyk
By
Alicia Adamczyk
Alicia Adamczyk
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 15, 2022, 2:07 PM ET
U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-FED-BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE-RAISING
The Federal Reserve raised ints benchmark interest rate again in June to try to tame inflation.Xinhua News Agency

Your credit card debt just got a little pricier.

Recommended Video

The Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark funds rate by 0.75 percentage points Wednesday in an especially aggressive attempt to lessen inflation’s persistent sting. It’s the third interest rate increase this year and the highest rate hike in almost three decades.

Many experts originally expected a 0.50 percentage point increase this week, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said at the May meeting that the agency was not considering a 0.75 hike. But with May’s higher-than-expected inflation report, the central bank stepped up its efforts to try to tame rising costs.

To simplify the thinking: Higher interest rates theoretically dampen demand for goods and services, which in turn helps costs from spiraling further upward. Experts expect the Fed to continue raising rates through the end of the year.

Americans will feel the effects of this increase across their financial lives, from their savings accounts to debt repayments. Here’s what to know.

Debt will get more expensive

The interest rate on credit card debt and other variable-rate products will likely increase in the coming weeks and months. Lenders have already been increasing credit card APRs since the previous rate hike.

Likewise, interest rates on car and home loans may keep climbing. If there’s no rush on your end, it may make sense to put off larger purchases until things settle down. Then again, if you’re in a rush to buy a home—because say, your rent is also rising and you’re ready to move on—then it could be prudent to lock in a rate now, or as soon as possible, before they rise even more.

Savings rates may improve

While debt gets more expensive, savings account APYs may also rise in the coming weeks and months. After a few years of piddling returns, this can be a boon for savers.

Experts say online banks—like Ally—typically offer higher rates faster than traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Credit unions also offer competitive rates. Though the national average savings rate is currently 0.07%, some banks are already raising rates and offering more generous yields, according to Ken Tumin, the founder of DepositAccounts.com, who tracks account offerings.

Online savings account rates are rising

Latest major online bank to hike:@CapitalOne 360 Performance Savings APY:

0.80% → 0.90%

It’s now 50 bps above its bottom of 0.40% that lasted all of 2021 and Q1 of 2022.https://t.co/a4mnkknmNK pic.twitter.com/jC5F9mCF95

— Ken Tumin (@KenTumin) June 15, 2022

Some online banks and credit unions “continue to aggressively increase their CD rates, and that appears to be accelerating,” Tumin notes. It’s likely those rates will continue to rise as well. Rates for some 1-year CDs are hitting 2%, while longer-term products are reaching 3%.

None of those options will help you keep up with inflation, which reached 8.6% in May. But it’s still best to keep your emergency fund in a liquid savings account you can easily access when needed.

The stock market is falling

Inflation and news that the Fed might increase rates more than expected sent the S&P 500 officially into bear market territory earlier this week, with the index falling more than 20% from its peak in January.

That can be painful for retirees counting on their investments to cover their expenses. But younger investors need not worry too much. Bear markets happen regularly; the worst thing any investor can do is make rash decisions now they’ll come to regret later.

“The most important thing is don’t panic, and don’t panic sell,” says Douglas Boneparth, certified financial planner and president of Bone Fide Wealth.

Prioritize carefully

With all of the changes happening, it might make sense to rethink and rearrange your financial priorities. While buying a house may have been attractive for the past two years with rates at record lows, the math could look very different now.

If paying off high-interest debt wasn’t a priority before, it definitely should be now. With the Fed expected to keep increasing rates throughout the year, that debt will only get more and more expensive. Paying it off as soon as you can will have compounding returns.

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.

About the Author
Alicia Adamczyk
By Alicia AdamczykSenior Writer
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Alicia Adamczyk is a former New York City-based senior writer at Fortune, covering personal finance, investing, and retirement.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Personal Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Personal Finance

greg
Personal FinanceAviation
Mamdani’s New York is coming to tax your private jet. Here’s how to prepare
By Greg RaiffMay 16, 2026
19 hours ago
Berkshire triples Alphabet stake and buys Delta stock while dumping Amazon in Greg Abel’s first quarter as CEO
InvestingBerkshire Hathaway
Berkshire triples Alphabet stake and buys Delta stock while dumping Amazon in Greg Abel’s first quarter as CEO
By Josh Funk and The Associated PressMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Kevin Warsh, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Chair of the Federal Reserve, is sworn in to testify during his Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
EconomyFed interest rates
Dominoes are steadily falling in the path of the rate cuts Trump wants to see from Kevin Warsh
By Eleanor PringleMay 15, 2026
2 days ago
Harrison Ford wearing a bow tie
SuccessWealth
Before ‘Star Wars’ made him a multimillionaire, Harrison Ford struggled to make ends meet—so he spent 15 years working a trades side-gig
By Preston ForeMay 15, 2026
2 days ago
newsom
Personal FinanceCalifornia
Gavin Newsom blasts Trump and Bessent as ‘dumb and dumber’ while unveiling $350 billion state budget
By Trân Nguyễn and The Associated PressMay 15, 2026
2 days ago
new mexico
North AmericaNew Mexico
New Mexico is raking in oil profits from Iran War, gaining $59 million for every $1 added to the price of a barrel
By Morgan Lee and The Associated PressMay 15, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
16 hours ago
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
4 days ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
6 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
20 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.