There is a fight, a tug-of-war if you will, in between savers and borrowers in this country.
Savers Lament
On the saver's side, conditions are horrific. Rate of interest on certificates of deposit (CD) have actually dropped substantially to the point where the average rate for a 1-year CD is 0.55% and merely 1.63% for a 5-y CD.
Reflect on that for a bit ... your money locked-up for 5 years earning just 1.63%!
Other cost savings automobiles are struggling too. For instance, a popular fund which contains corporate bonds from Wells Fargo, AT&T, Wal-Mart, and other blue-chip American companies has an average maturity of 12 years and presently yields about 3.75%.
That's 3.75% of taxable interest earnings. Assuming your tax rate is 33%, you're left with a reliable, after-tax yield of 2.5% which, my buddy, is less than the historical inflation average of 3%.
So, while your bond investment is better than cash in the bank and secures you to some level versus inflation, you still end up with 0.5% lower buying power every year.
So savers can't be too happy about this.
While Borrowers Rejoice
Borrowers, on the other hand, are having the time of their lives. Recently, the new fidelity funding bbb typical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage struck its all-time low of 4.19%. The kicker here is that home loan rates ought to really be more than 0.5% lower - in the 3.8% range - based on their connection with interest rates on Treasury bonds.
However, rates are not likely to go much lower so here's a pointer: If you remain in the marketplace to refinance, waiting is probably not going to assist you much.
Moreover, clients of mine are borrowing millions at 2.15% to fund their business activities.
Appears a Little Unfair
Without taking a moral position, it does seem a bit unjust that savers, who in a sense are the "good guys" constructing wealth for their future, contributing capital for financial development and conserving for a rainy day, are being penalized for the actions of reckless borrowers and greedy lending institutions. Debtors got in over their heads, didn't take affordable safety measures, and are now getting loan modifications and lowered rates on the money they owe. Banks experienced massive losses because of bad loaning practices and triggered this drop in rates to ultra-low levels.
Nevertheless, this kind of discussion doesn't get us anywhere. What has occurred, has actually occurred - fair or unjust.
So where do we go from here, and how do we benefit from all this?
What Debtors Can Do
Have a look at your financial resources from a customer's perspective.
First: re-finance your mortgage NOW if you can because rates probably aren't going to fall much lower.
Second: shop, shop, buy a better rate on your credit card. Borrowing costs are dropping all around so why should you pay the usual high rate on your credit card? Discover banks that are starving to provide you cash such as smaller sized organizations and Credit Unions, and avoid mega-banks that normally have all the cash they need.
Third: take out a business loan if you require the money. Banks are chilling out and making loans at relatively low rates that are really engaging regardless of the threat of slower company in this weak economy.
Nevertheless, utilize good sense and good judgment as you handle more debt. Handle "excellent" debt that funds your home purchase or properties that appreciate in value. Keep away from handling "bad" debt for depreciating assets you can ill pay for such as a new vehicle or boat. If you should handle "bad" debt, ensure it is short term and pay it off very quickly.
What Savers Can Do
Now the tough part: finding deals as a saver.
First: search for a longer-term CD that will adjust greater if rates rise. There is little bit even worse than locking your money in a 5-year CD at 1.50% just to see rates rise to 5% 2 years from now.
2nd: consider purchasing business bonds with maturities of 5 years or less. These bonds still yield more than CDs, but ensure you know what you are buying - if the corporation declares bankruptcy, you might lose a great portion of your "safe" investment.
Third: consider purchasing high dividend-paying blue-chip stocks. Warren Buffet recently said that stocks are more affordable than bonds right now, and he's right. There are lots of solid companies out there whose dividend yields are above 3%. For instance, Altria currently has a dividend yield of 6% and a strong history of constant dividend payments.
So ... it depends on you to be a winner or loser in the cost savings and borrowing video game. All you have to do is know the truths, choose to act, get on the phone or in your automobile, and begin getting your affairs in order.