Fed raises interest rates 0.75%, more hikes likely

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates 0.75% for the third time in a row in a continued effort to slow rising inflation.

The consumer price index rose 0.1% in August, even though most economists predicted a decline. This was despite rapidly falling energy prices that had fueled inflation earlier this year.

The Fed has been increasing rates for seven consecutive months, and changing its target rate in the process. It originally considered 2.5% to be neutral - which the Fed defines as no longer easy but not yet restrictive. Bank officials signaled the intention of continuing to hike until the funds level hits an end point of 4.6% in 2023.

The Fed also said GDP growth will slow to 0.2% this year, increasing to 1.8% in following years, down from an estimate of 1.7% in June.

Bank officials hope that inflation, as measured by the personal consumption expenditures price index, will decrease to 5.4% this year, down from 6.3% in August. Projections show inflation falling back to the goal of 2% by 2025.

Overall, the members of the Federal Reserve Board are in general looking at a rate of 4.5% to 4.75% for next year, with rate cuts in 2024 and 2025 to get back down to 2.9%.

The increase will affect much of the economy, pushing up rates for credit cards, home equity loans, and mortgages. Fixed 30-year mortgages have increased to 6.33% from 3.22% earlier this year. On the flip side, those with savings accounts will should see higher bank saving rates after years of near-zero returns.