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[[{“value”:”I don’t know whether to cheer or boo for rate cuts.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. On the one hand, a cut could bring lower borrowing costs and maybe even some relief on mortgage rates.But on the other hand, goodbye to those beautiful 4.00%+ rates we’ve been enjoying on savings products. If interest rates fall, so do the yields on high-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market funds.At the start of 2025, most experts predicted two or three rate cuts this year. Now we’re almost halfway through, and we’ve seen zero.So the big question heading into the June 17-18 Fed meeting is: Will this finally be the moment, or are we still stuck in a holding pattern?Either way, your money could feel it. Here’s what to know — and how to protect your cash before the Fed makes its move.If the Fed cuts rates, your savings could take an instant hitA rate cut (even a small one) could send savings yields down fast.Banks often respond to Fed moves almost overnight, especially when trimming the APYs (annual percentage yields) on their most competitive accounts.High yield savings accounts (HYSAs) feel an immediate impact, because they have variable rates that can change any time. Same with money market accounts.But if your money is in a certificate of deposit (CD), you’ve got a guaranteed rate for the duration of your CD’s term and are protected from cuts.Now’s a great time to give your cash a quick check-up and make sure it’s working as hard as it should be.Why locking in a CD now could be your smartest moveIf you’ve been stockpiling extra cash, this might be the moment to lock in a top CD rate.I’m talking about money you won’t need for a while, like savings for a house down payment, a big trip next year, or any short- to mid-term money goals.Putting that money in a CD lets you lock in today’s higher APY for the full term.Right now, some of the best CD rates are hovering around 3.50% to 4.35% APY. Here’s what a $10,000 deposit could earn you at various term lengths:6 months at 4.35% APY = $2151 year at 4.00% APY = $4002 years at 3.80% APY = $7743 years at 3.50% APY = $1,0874 years at 3.50% APY = $1,4755 years at 3.50% APY = $1,877As long as you don’t withdraw your money early, this is all guaranteed interest. No matter what happens to rates, your earnings are protected.In fact, looking way beyond the June 17-18 Fed meeting, you won’t have to worry about any changes for the entire term. Just make sure the CD term lines up with when you’ll need the cash.Want to see which banks are paying the highest CD rates right now? Check out our list of the best CDs available today and find one that fits your timelineHigh-yield savings accounts still make senseEven with the rate drama, HYSAs are one of the best spots for short-term cash.I keep my personal $25,000 emergency fund in one of these accounts. Yes, my rate is subject to changes. But that’s the price I’m willing to pay for the flexibility to access my funds at any time.As of right now, online banks on our list are still offering up to 4.40% APY on HYSAs. That’s over 10X the national savings rates — and 60X the average checking account rate!HYSAs are a no-brainer for any cash you don’t want to lock up long term.Want your cash to work harder without locking it up? Compare the best high-yield savings accounts available now — get up to 4.40% APY with no fees.The bottom lineYou don’t have to guess what the Fed will do to make a smart move right now. Whether rates dip or hold, the key is to stay proactive, protect your earnings, and not let indecision win.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

I don’t know whether to cheer or boo for rate cuts.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
On the one hand, a cut could bring lower borrowing costs and maybe even some relief on mortgage rates.
But on the other hand, goodbye to those beautiful 4.00%+ rates we’ve been enjoying on savings products. If interest rates fall, so do the yields on high-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market funds.
At the start of 2025, most experts predicted two or three rate cuts this year. Now we’re almost halfway through, and we’ve seen zero.
So the big question heading into the June 17-18 Fed meeting is: Will this finally be the moment, or are we still stuck in a holding pattern?
Either way, your money could feel it. Here’s what to know — and how to protect your cash before the Fed makes its move.
If the Fed cuts rates, your savings could take an instant hit
A rate cut (even a small one) could send savings yields down fast.
Banks often respond to Fed moves almost overnight, especially when trimming the APYs (annual percentage yields) on their most competitive accounts.
High yield savings accounts (HYSAs) feel an immediate impact, because they have variable rates that can change any time. Same with money market accounts.
But if your money is in a certificate of deposit (CD), you’ve got a guaranteed rate for the duration of your CD’s term and are protected from cuts.
Now’s a great time to give your cash a quick check-up and make sure it’s working as hard as it should be.
Why locking in a CD now could be your smartest move
If you’ve been stockpiling extra cash, this might be the moment to lock in a top CD rate.
I’m talking about money you won’t need for a while, like savings for a house down payment, a big trip next year, or any short- to mid-term money goals.
Putting that money in a CD lets you lock in today’s higher APY for the full term.
Right now, some of the best CD rates are hovering around 3.50% to 4.35% APY. Here’s what a $10,000 deposit could earn you at various term lengths:
- 6 months at 4.35% APY = $215
- 1 year at 4.00% APY = $400
- 2 years at 3.80% APY = $774
- 3 years at 3.50% APY = $1,087
- 4 years at 3.50% APY = $1,475
- 5 years at 3.50% APY = $1,877
As long as you don’t withdraw your money early, this is all guaranteed interest. No matter what happens to rates, your earnings are protected.
In fact, looking way beyond the June 17-18 Fed meeting, you won’t have to worry about any changes for the entire term. Just make sure the CD term lines up with when you’ll need the cash.
Want to see which banks are paying the highest CD rates right now? Check out our list of the best CDs available today and find one that fits your timeline
High-yield savings accounts still make sense
Even with the rate drama, HYSAs are one of the best spots for short-term cash.
I keep my personal $25,000 emergency fund in one of these accounts. Yes, my rate is subject to changes. But that’s the price I’m willing to pay for the flexibility to access my funds at any time.
As of right now, online banks on our list are still offering up to 4.40% APY on HYSAs. That’s over 10X the national savings rates — and 60X the average checking account rate!
HYSAs are a no-brainer for any cash you don’t want to lock up long term.
Want your cash to work harder without locking it up? Compare the best high-yield savings accounts available now — get up to 4.40% APY with no fees.
The bottom line
You don’t have to guess what the Fed will do to make a smart move right now. Whether rates dip or hold, the key is to stay proactive, protect your earnings, and not let indecision win.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
“}]] Read More