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Is it possible to lock in a high interest rate in savings, when general interest rates are high?
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I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s), that were opened when interest rates (federal funds rate) were high. The implication seemed to be that for some of these accounts, if one were to hold these accounts open, they'd still be getting the same rates after all these years. Do I misunderstand, or is this actually possible?
savings interest-rate
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
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up vote
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I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s), that were opened when interest rates (federal funds rate) were high. The implication seemed to be that for some of these accounts, if one were to hold these accounts open, they'd still be getting the same rates after all these years. Do I misunderstand, or is this actually possible?
savings interest-rate
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s), that were opened when interest rates (federal funds rate) were high. The implication seemed to be that for some of these accounts, if one were to hold these accounts open, they'd still be getting the same rates after all these years. Do I misunderstand, or is this actually possible?
savings interest-rate
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s), that were opened when interest rates (federal funds rate) were high. The implication seemed to be that for some of these accounts, if one were to hold these accounts open, they'd still be getting the same rates after all these years. Do I misunderstand, or is this actually possible?
savings interest-rate
savings interest-rate
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
edited 4 hours ago
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
asked 5 hours ago
horse hair
1,61721626
1,61721626
Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago
Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago
Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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up vote
4
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Flexible savings accounts are almost all variable interest, meaning the rates go up and down with market rates. The reason for this is that if they did not, people could pay into the fixed interest ones when rates elsewhere were low, and take money out when rates elsewhere were high (and invest it at a higher rate in other accounts), making a profit at the bank's expense.
There is a vehicle for 'locking in' savings at high interest rates. This is an account where the interest rate is fixed, but the money is also locked into it. In America these are called Certificate of Deposit (CD). In Canada they are called Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC). In the UK and other places they are called Term Deposits. In essence you agree to lock your money into an account for a fixed amount of time, in return for a guaranteed rate of return. (There is usually a clause that allows you to take your money out early, often with a penalty.)
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s).
Well, you heard wrong (g). In 1980-81 the Fed Funds rate peaked at 17.36%. Taxable money market funds were paying over 17%. Short term CDs were over 18%. The 10 and 30 year treasury bonds were over 15%. Baa corporate bonds were paying over 16%. Long term treasury and corporate bonds locked in these rates.
I was fairly new to the market then. A market mentor of mine had recently retired and had sold his business for $600k. He put the bulk of it in 20-30 paper and happily cut coupons at an average rate of 15% until maturity. Think about that. 15% on say $500k is a tidy income of $75k per year. Not bad at all.
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Flexible savings accounts are almost all variable interest, meaning the rates go up and down with market rates. The reason for this is that if they did not, people could pay into the fixed interest ones when rates elsewhere were low, and take money out when rates elsewhere were high (and invest it at a higher rate in other accounts), making a profit at the bank's expense.
There is a vehicle for 'locking in' savings at high interest rates. This is an account where the interest rate is fixed, but the money is also locked into it. In America these are called Certificate of Deposit (CD). In Canada they are called Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC). In the UK and other places they are called Term Deposits. In essence you agree to lock your money into an account for a fixed amount of time, in return for a guaranteed rate of return. (There is usually a clause that allows you to take your money out early, often with a penalty.)
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Flexible savings accounts are almost all variable interest, meaning the rates go up and down with market rates. The reason for this is that if they did not, people could pay into the fixed interest ones when rates elsewhere were low, and take money out when rates elsewhere were high (and invest it at a higher rate in other accounts), making a profit at the bank's expense.
There is a vehicle for 'locking in' savings at high interest rates. This is an account where the interest rate is fixed, but the money is also locked into it. In America these are called Certificate of Deposit (CD). In Canada they are called Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC). In the UK and other places they are called Term Deposits. In essence you agree to lock your money into an account for a fixed amount of time, in return for a guaranteed rate of return. (There is usually a clause that allows you to take your money out early, often with a penalty.)
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Flexible savings accounts are almost all variable interest, meaning the rates go up and down with market rates. The reason for this is that if they did not, people could pay into the fixed interest ones when rates elsewhere were low, and take money out when rates elsewhere were high (and invest it at a higher rate in other accounts), making a profit at the bank's expense.
There is a vehicle for 'locking in' savings at high interest rates. This is an account where the interest rate is fixed, but the money is also locked into it. In America these are called Certificate of Deposit (CD). In Canada they are called Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC). In the UK and other places they are called Term Deposits. In essence you agree to lock your money into an account for a fixed amount of time, in return for a guaranteed rate of return. (There is usually a clause that allows you to take your money out early, often with a penalty.)
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
Flexible savings accounts are almost all variable interest, meaning the rates go up and down with market rates. The reason for this is that if they did not, people could pay into the fixed interest ones when rates elsewhere were low, and take money out when rates elsewhere were high (and invest it at a higher rate in other accounts), making a profit at the bank's expense.
There is a vehicle for 'locking in' savings at high interest rates. This is an account where the interest rate is fixed, but the money is also locked into it. In America these are called Certificate of Deposit (CD). In Canada they are called Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC). In the UK and other places they are called Term Deposits. In essence you agree to lock your money into an account for a fixed amount of time, in return for a guaranteed rate of return. (There is usually a clause that allows you to take your money out early, often with a penalty.)
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
edited 3 hours ago
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
answered 4 hours ago
DJClayworth
13.6k14067
13.6k14067
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
+1 for the second paragraph but the first one is confusing
– 0xFEE1DEAD
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s).
Well, you heard wrong (g). In 1980-81 the Fed Funds rate peaked at 17.36%. Taxable money market funds were paying over 17%. Short term CDs were over 18%. The 10 and 30 year treasury bonds were over 15%. Baa corporate bonds were paying over 16%. Long term treasury and corporate bonds locked in these rates.
I was fairly new to the market then. A market mentor of mine had recently retired and had sold his business for $600k. He put the bulk of it in 20-30 paper and happily cut coupons at an average rate of 15% until maturity. Think about that. 15% on say $500k is a tidy income of $75k per year. Not bad at all.
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s).
Well, you heard wrong (g). In 1980-81 the Fed Funds rate peaked at 17.36%. Taxable money market funds were paying over 17%. Short term CDs were over 18%. The 10 and 30 year treasury bonds were over 15%. Baa corporate bonds were paying over 16%. Long term treasury and corporate bonds locked in these rates.
I was fairly new to the market then. A market mentor of mine had recently retired and had sold his business for $600k. He put the bulk of it in 20-30 paper and happily cut coupons at an average rate of 15% until maturity. Think about that. 15% on say $500k is a tidy income of $75k per year. Not bad at all.
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s).
Well, you heard wrong (g). In 1980-81 the Fed Funds rate peaked at 17.36%. Taxable money market funds were paying over 17%. Short term CDs were over 18%. The 10 and 30 year treasury bonds were over 15%. Baa corporate bonds were paying over 16%. Long term treasury and corporate bonds locked in these rates.
I was fairly new to the market then. A market mentor of mine had recently retired and had sold his business for $600k. He put the bulk of it in 20-30 paper and happily cut coupons at an average rate of 15% until maturity. Think about that. 15% on say $500k is a tidy income of $75k per year. Not bad at all.
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
I've heard anecdotes about high-interest savings accounts (4.5% around 2006, even 8% in the 80s).
Well, you heard wrong (g). In 1980-81 the Fed Funds rate peaked at 17.36%. Taxable money market funds were paying over 17%. Short term CDs were over 18%. The 10 and 30 year treasury bonds were over 15%. Baa corporate bonds were paying over 16%. Long term treasury and corporate bonds locked in these rates.
I was fairly new to the market then. A market mentor of mine had recently retired and had sold his business for $600k. He put the bulk of it in 20-30 paper and happily cut coupons at an average rate of 15% until maturity. Think about that. 15% on say $500k is a tidy income of $75k per year. Not bad at all.
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
answered 3 hours ago
Bob Baerker
12.6k11845
12.6k11845
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
Yes, in Australia in the late 80s the short term money market was returning 19%. "Cash is king" was the order of the day.
– Peter K.
3 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I remember having a basic savings account that returned over 5% in the 80's.
– Rocky
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
I had a money market account paying 16+ percent while carrying a 3% college loan. I was in no hurry to pay that off :->)
– Bob Baerker
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
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Unlikely. Typically, rates for savings accounts can and do fluctuate, as the bank can reset them any time they like. The alternative is something like a certificate of deposit, which has a fixed rate for a given period of time, but with restrictions on your ability to withdraw funds during that period. I'm not aware of any account that provided a fixed rate for an indefinite period of time. Keep in mind the high interest rates could be paid because they were backed by money lent out at even higher rates.
– chepner
4 hours ago