Federal Reserve keeps US interest rates steady

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, extending a nearly yearlong period of stability that has positives for savers and borrowers. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his central bank colleagues on Wednesday left an important interest rate unchanged at 5.25 percent, where it has stood since last June. The decision was unanimous. The Fed’s decision means that commercial banks’ prime interest rate – for certain credit cards, home equity lines of credit and other loans – stays at 8.25 percent. Borrowers had suffered through two years of rate increases. But the current period of steadiness can help them regain their footing by paying down or consolidating debt, experts said, and predictable rates can help with investment decisions.

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