 |
Mortgage Rate Resources |
Federal Reserve Bank –
Controlling Mortgage Interest Rates
by: Dan Lewis
Homeowners often become very interested in the Federal
Reserve Bank system. Every time the board of directors meets, mortgage
interest rates are at risk.
Federal Reserve Bank
The Federal Reserve System acts as the central bank of
the United States. Created in 1913, the Federal Reserve sets monetary and
financial policies for the financial industry and trades currency with
foreign countries. The Federal Reserve also acts as the bank for the
federal government. When you send a check in with your tax return, it ends
up in the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve System is made up of 12 branch
offices. The New York office is the primary office with other branches
located across the country.
The primary job of the Federal Reserve is to manipulate
fiscal policy. The goal is to fine-tune the economy to create a stable,
predictable situation in which businesses can function. Wildly fluctuating
economic keys, such as interest rates, can lead to chaos. In the late
1970’s, for instance, interest rates shot up into the high teens, causing
a major economic slow down.
The Federal Reserve effectively controls mortgage
interest rates in a unique manner. Many people mistakenly believe interest
rates are actually set by the Federal Reserve. They clearly are not.
Instead, the Federal Reserve directly dictates the rates at which one bank
can loan money to another. Let’s take a closer look.
Every bank in the United States must hold back a
percentage of its monetary assets. Put another way, the bank is forced to
maintain a savings account. While this money cannot be loaned to
consumers, it can be loaned to other banks. In exchange for the loan, a
bank agrees to pay back the loan at an interest rate known as the federal
funds rate. The Federal Reserve determines the federal funds rate. When
you here Alan Greenspan has increase the rate a quarter point, this is
what they are talking about.
You are probably wondering how the federal funds rate
could possible impact mortgage rates. While there is no direct link, there
is a practical one. Banks universally react to the federal funds rate,
particularly whether it was raised or lowered. If the federal funds rate
is raised a quarter point, you can expect mortgage rates to move up a bit.
The bond market also impacts mortgage rates, which is why you will not see
the exact same movement as occurs with the federal funds rate.
The Federal Reserve System makes a major effort to
maintain a low profile. Most people, however, feel it is the real power
behind the economy, not politicians.
 |
Additional Mortgage Resources |
Title: #1 -
100% Independent Home
mortgage Loan Advice, Tips on Rates, Brokers, Refinancing:
Description: Offers current, step-by-step, independent home loan
mortgage rate advice and tips on purschasing,
refinancing, choosing a mortgage broker or lender -
countrywide!
Click for Details
Title: #2 - Loan Officer Training - mortgage
Broker - Work At Home Possible
Description: Loan Officer training and mortgage
Broker training for individuals who want a great work at home job.
Click for Details
Title: #3 - Sales Lead Generation. Health Insurance, Real
Estate, Life Insurance, mortgage Leads and MLM Leads
Description: Sales Lead Generation for Pennies. Learn How We Generate Business
Sales Leads using our Affordable,Proven Sales Lead Generation System.
Click for Details Title: #4 -
mortgage Cycling Pays Off
mortgage Early With mortgage
Reduction.
Description: mortgage reduction without a biweekly
mortgage. Discover mortgage
cycling.
Click for Details Title: #5 -
Learn real
estate finance secrets that can make you rich
Description: mortgage pro reveals real estate finance
secrets that can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Click for Details
|