Rate Watch Blog
Weekly posts on Federal Reserve decisions, deposit-rate surveys, and deposit-account strategy. Updated every Wednesday.
Rate Watch
What the Federal Reserve Rate Cycle Actually Does to Your HYSA
HYSA rates follow the Fed funds rate, but they move faster in one direction than the other.
2026-05-15 · 6 min · Margery Penrose
How the Fed Funds Rate Translates to Your Savings APY
The Fed funds rate affects savings rates through a specific mechanism — most people do not know how it works.
2026-05-01 · 6 min · Margery Penrose
CD Rates Outlook: What the Yield Curve Is Telling Us
CD rate forecasting is harder than it sounds — here is what the current market signals actually imply.
2026-04-28 · 7 min · Margery Penrose
Banking Education
Why Online Banks Consistently Beat Big-Four Banks on APY
The online bank rate advantage comes from branch overhead they do not carry — and it is structural, not temporary.
2026-05-12 · 5 min · Margery Penrose
The Silent Cost of Keeping Cash in a Checking Account
Average checking account balances far exceed what most households need for monthly operations.
2026-05-08 · 5 min · Margery Penrose
Why Credit Unions Still Beat Most Neobanks on CDs
NCUA-insured credit union share certificates are consistently competitive with the best online-bank CDs.
2026-04-22 · 6 min · Margery Penrose
Product Comparison
Money Market vs HYSA: The Honest Breakdown
The MMA vs HYSA choice depends on check-writing needs, balance size, and which product your bank prices more competitively.
2026-04-15 · 6 min · Margery Penrose
Checking Accounts That Pay Real Interest in 2026
Seven checking accounts paying real interest in 2026, with the qualification requirements you need to actually earn the rate.
2026-03-04 · 6 min · Margery Penrose