How credit unions can survive rising interest rates

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates three times in the last year or so. With a strong economy and continued low unemployment, expect rates to continue their upward trajectory. In response, banks and credit unions will need to change how they market their deposit products. In a low interest rate environment, it’s natural that deposit […]

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates three times in the last year or so. With a strong economy and continued low unemployment, expect rates to continue their upward trajectory. In response, banks and credit unions will need to change how they market their deposit products.

In a low interest rate environment, it’s natural that deposit products will fall out of favor with consumers. The average interest rate paid on a savings account is 0.07 percent. For an interest-bearing checking account, the average is 0.04 percent. Money market accounts and CDs pay only slightly higher rates. For the average consumer, it’s pretty paltry. For many, it might as well be zero.

When interest rates are higher, banks and credit unions attract more deposits. In 2007, when the federal funds rate was more than 5.00 percent, nearly one in four consumers had a CD. But in 2017, only 15 percent had one. In 2007, 21 percent of consumers had a money market account versus 17 precent today. Read The Financial Brand article here.

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The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates represents 302 credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, with a combined total of $175 billion in assets and more than 11.6 million members. LSCU & Affiliates provides legislative and regulatory advocacy; education and training; cooperative initiatives (including financial education outreach); public messaging; information services; and business solutions.

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