Current Mortgage Rates

US National Average Mortgage Rates as of 11/30/09.

For the latest table, see Best Mortgage Rates - Top Lenders Survey

	CURRENT	1 MONTH PRIOR	6 MONTH PRIOR	1 YEAR PRIOR
30-Year Fixed	4.97	5.18	5.08	5.76
15-Year Fixed	4.48	4.64	4.78	5.5
5/1-Year ARM	4.24	4.27	4.6	5.95
1-Year ARM	3.92	3.91	4.28	5.99
30-Year Fixed Jumbo	5.89	6.08	6.59	7.26
15-Year Fixed Jumbo	5.44	5.57	5.95	6.45
5/1-Year ARM Jumbo	4.81	4.7	5.16	6.18

Data from bankrate.com

Libor Rates

Historical Libor Rates

More Real Estate and Home Loan Information

HSBC Direct's New Online Savings Rate + Rate History

HSBC, which bills itself as "the world's local bank," announced via email on 9/25/09 their new savings rate effective 9/23/09. HSBC lowered the annual percentage rate (APY) they pay on their "online savings account" to 1.35%. The prior rate was 1.45%. They should tell us this in advance, not two days after the fact.

Dear xxxx,
Thank you for choosing HSBC Direct for your savings needs. We wanted to let you know that your Online Savings Account rate was adjusted to 1.35% APY* as of 9/23/2009.

Rate history for HSBC Direct Online Savings Account

1.35% on 9/23/09
1.45% on 8/15/09
1.55% on 5/15/09
1.65% on 4/29/09
1.85% on 3/27/09
2.25% on 2/20/09
2.45% on 1/26/09
2.60% on 1/6/09
3.00% on 9/21/08
3.25% on 8/15/08 (about)
3.55% on 2/4/08
Was 4.25%, lowered to 3.80% on 1/29/08

HSBC Direct Online Savings Account Info:

• Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Online Savings Account is accurate as of 09/23/2009.
  
• APY is variable and subject to change.
  
• Minimum deposit to open is $1.00.

More information:

• HSBC CD Rates

==> CD Rates at Largest US Banks <==
A survey of CD rates at largest US Banks

Best Highest Yield Savings Account APY Rates

A survey of the best rates for top paying savings accounts. The top rate is at Tennessee Commerce Bank with only a $250 minimum opening balance to get the top rate of 2.30% APY.

With rates so high, don't be suckered by banks offering annuities. Make sure you read the article "Beware of Annuities" so you are well armed before you enter the bank seeking high rates.

Institution	APY %	Min Bal to Open
Tennessee Commerce Bank Franklin, TN	2.30	$250
UFBDirect.com Irvine, CA	2.00	$500
OneWest Bank, FSB Pasadena, CA	1.85	$10,000
Flagstar Bank Troy, MI	1.81	$10,000
Heartland Bank Direct St. Louis, MO	1.76	$500
Ally Bank Midvale, UT	1.75	$0
Bank of Internet USA San Diego, CA	1.75	$100

For more information about the above accounts, read the full survey at

Best Highest Yield Savings Account APY Rates

Citybank Special CD Rates

1-YR 2.00% CD

The Sunday August 16, 2009 San Jose Mercury news has an advertisement from Citibank for a 2.00% APY 1-yr CD with a 1,000 minimum. The ad says to call or contact a local branch for that rate. Their "default rate" for a 1-yr CD is only 1.50% APY so you will probably have to ask to get 2.00%.

18-Month 2.30% CD

According to the advertisement, Citibank is also offering a 2.30% APY FDIC insured CD with an 18 month term. Their web site lists 2.25% so you may have to ask to get the special rate.

Strings:

• $500 minimum
• Applicant must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States (U.S.) who is at least 18 years old with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number.
• CDs renew automatically at maturity for the same term you initially selected. In addition, the amount you have on deposit will receive the rate in effect at the time your CD matures. If you don't want to renew, you have a 7-calendar day grace period to let Citibank know online, by phone or in writing.
• All accounts subject to approval.

For more rates and terms for Citibank certificates of deposit plus contact information, see Citibank.

Charles Schwab Bank Mortgage Rates

You can get fixed rate, conforming mortgage loans from Schwab Bank now for under 5.00%.

From Charles Schwab Bank Mortgage Loan Rate:

Fixed Conforming Loans (For Loan Amounts of $417,000 or Less)

Fixed Rated as of 07/14/09
	Rate	Points	APR
30yr Fixed	5.375 5.16	0.0 1.0	5.405 5.28
25yr Fixed	5.375 5.16	0.0 1.0	5.41 5.297
20yr Fixed	5.25 4.96	0.0 1.0	5.291 5.121
15yr Fixed	4.875 4.66	0.0 1.0	4.927 4.864
10yr Fixed	4.875 4.66	0.0 1.0	4.949 4.952

See Charles Schwab Bank Mortgage Rates for current rates for fixed and adjustable mortgage loans.

CD Rates at Innovative Bank

Current CD rates and terms at Innovative Bank with offices in Oakland, Santa Clara and Los Angeles, California.

==> " CD Rates at Innovative Bank " as of 6/30/09 <==

San Jose Mercury News 6/30/09 Advertisement of CD Rates
CD Term	APY	Min Deposit
12 months	2.15%	$20,000
	2.17%	$100,000
18 months	2.28%	$20,000
	2.31%	$100,000
24 months	2.43%	$20,000
	2.45%	$100,000
36 months	2.56%	$20,000
	2.60%	$100,000

You can often get higher than advertised rates at your local branch if you do your homework. Print out our "Highest CD Rate Survey" and bring it in with you. Print out some of the advertisement of rates advertised on your bank's competing web sites so you have proof.

Bottom line: It never hurts to ask the teller if better rates are available when you do your homework!

Contact info and more at Innovative Bank CD Rates

Wells Fargo Bank CD Rates

Current CD Rates at Wells Fargo Bank

Wells Fargo Bank is has some special CD rates including 2.15% for a 25-month term.

Special Offers

CD Term	APY	Minimum Deposit
9 months (Renews for 6 month term)	0.90%	$5,000
17 months (Renews for 12 month term)	1.65%	$5,000
25 months (Renews for 24 month term)	2.15%	$5,000

For more rates and terms plus contact information, see Wells Fargo Bank CD Rates.

You can often get higher than advertised rates at your local branch if you do your homework. Print out our "Highest CD Rate Survey" and bring it in with you to show what others offer. Print out some of the advertisements showing rates advertised on your bank's competing web sites so you have proof. Tellers often have permission to give you a rate boost if you bring competitive data showing you can get better rates elsewhere.

Best CD Rates

The top rates for CDs this week anywhere (not just the Bay Area) are at Pentagon Federal Credit Union (fondly known as PenFed CU) for 5 and 7-year certificates of deposit that currently pay 4.39% APY.

For shorter term, Flagstar Bank, has a 1-year CD with a 3.25% annual percentage rate.

For online savings, GMAC Bank is paying 3.00% on any deposit over $500.

With rates so low, banks will try to sell you their annuity products. Make sure you read our article: Beware of Annuities

The table below shows the best CD rates for other terms. If that table is hard to read, then try Very Best CD Rates.

"Highest CD Rate Survey + Current US Treasury Rates"

Term	Date	Highest Rate (APY)	Where? (Click link for Full Rate Sheets)
Daily Savings	5/1/09	0.53%	Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
Tax Exempt	5/1/09	0.66%	Vanguard Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
High Yield MM	5/1/09	2.30%	Heartland Bank Direct, St. Louis, MO
3-Month Treasury	5/1/09	0.15%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
6 Months	5/1/09	2.32%	Corus Bank
6-Month Treasury	5/1/09	0.29%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
1 Year	5/1/09	2.80%	GMAC Bank & 2.76% @ Corus Bank
1 Year Treasury	5/1/09	0.47%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
18 - Months	5/1/09	2.70%	newDominionDIRECT.com
2 Years	5/1/09	2.90%	GMAC Bank
2 Year Treasury	5/1/09	0.92%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
3 Years	5/1/09	3.50%	Pentagon Federal CU
3-Yr Treasury	5/1/09	1.38%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
4 Years	5/1/09	3.75%	PenFed Credit Union
5 Years	5/1/09	4.00%	Pentagon Federal CU
5 Yr Treasury	5/1/09	2.04%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
7 Years	5/1/09	4.00%	Pentagon Federal CU
10 Yr Treasury	5/1/09	3.19%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
10 Years	5/1/09	4.00%	Discover Bank
30 Yr Treasury	5/1/09	4.10%	US Treasury Rates at a glance

Best CD Rates Anywhere

The top rates for CDs this week are at Pentagon Federal Credit Union (fondly known as PenFed CU) for 5 and 7-year certificates of deposit that currently pay 4.00% APY.

For shorter term, GMAC Bank has a 1-year CD with a 2.50% annual percentage rate.

For online savings, GMAC Bank is paying 2.50% on any deposit over $500.

For the Santa Clara County, Star One Credit Union is paying 2.40% on its savings account plus you can get $25 to open an account for as little as $50. Details

With rates so low, banks will try to sell you their annuity products. Make sure you read our article "Beware of Annuities."

The table below shows the best CD rates for other terms. If that table is hard to read, then try Very Best CD Rates.

"Highest CD Rate Survey + Current US Treasury Rates"

Easy to Read Best CD Rate Survey

Term	Date	Highest Rate (APY)	Where? (Click link for Full Rate Sheets)
Daily Savings	3/11/09	0.91%	Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
Tax Exempt	3/11/09	0.68%	Vanguard Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
Online Savings	3/11/09	2.65%	GMAC Bank & 2.40% @ Star One CU
3-Month Treasury	3/11/09	0.22%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
6 Months	3/11/09	2.50%	GMAC Bank
6-Month Treasury	3/11/09	0.45%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
9 Months	3/11/09	2.50%	GMAC Bank
1 Year	3/11/09	2.95%	GMAC Bank 2.90% @ UFBDirect.com
1 Year Treasury	3/11/09	0.69%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
18 Months	3/11/09	2.95%	UmbrellaBank & 2.90% @ Intervest Bank
2 Years	3/11/09	3.00%	GMAC Bank & 2.95% @ UmbrellaBank
2 Year Treasury	3/11/09	1.00%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
3 Years	3/11/09	3.50%	Pentagon Federal CU
3-Yr Treasury	3/11/09	1.42%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
4 Years	3/11/09	3.75%	PenFed Credit Union
5 Years	3/11/09	4.00%	Pentagon Federal CU
5 Yr Treasury	3/11/09	1.93%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
7 Years	3/11/09	4.00%	Pentagon Federal CU & 3.50% @ Discover Bank
10 Yr Treasury	3/11/09	2.89%	US Treasury Rates at a glance
10 Years	3/11/09	3.50%	Discover Bank
30 Yr Treasury	3/11/09	3.64%	US Treasury Rates at a glance

• Easy to Read Best CD Rate Survey
  
  
• US Treasury Rates at a Glance
  
  
• World Stock Markets at a Glance

With rates so low, banks will try to sell you their annuity products. Make sure you read our article: Beware of Annuities

Star One Credit Union: Earn $25 on a $50 Deposit!

Star One Credit Union in California's Santa Clara County has a special promotion for new members. Not only do members get great rates, they can also earn $25 to open a new account for as little as $50! with the attached coupon.

You can click on this coupon picture for a full size image
then print it out
or
download it in PDF to print later

Why does Star One CU pay you up to 50% on a $50 deposit? They figure that once you visit them, you will be impressed with the great rates Star One Credit Union offers on new accounts. I know I was and feel good recommending them.

I went there yesterday to open a new account. I opened a savings account that pays a 2.40% APY, a 1-yr CD that also pays a 2.40% APY and when I saw their checking account, with no strings, offered 0.50% on any balance, I opened a checking account also.

Star One CU: Current rates and terms

Four Star One CU Branches

10991 North DeAnza Boulevard Cupertino , CA 95014 (866) 543-5202 or (408) 543-5202	3903 El Camino Real Palo Alto , CA 94306 (866) 543-5202 or (408) 543-5202
1090 Blossom Hill Road San Jose , CA 95123 (866) 543-5202 or (408) 543-5202	1080 Enterprise Way Sunnyvale , CA 94089 (866) 543-5202 or (408) 543-5202