What the federal budget crisis and possible default may mean for consumers
28.07.11
The debate in Washington over the federal budget crisis and possible default has given rise to all sorts of consumer fears of doomsday scenarios. Missed Social Security payments. Spikes in interest rates. Draconian cuts in government services. But the most likely outcome is that the nation's credit rating will be downgraded a notch from its sterling triple A rating. Here are some potential consequences for consumers:
Higher lending rates
Americans will pay more on credit card debt. Home and car loan interest rates will rise, too. Numerous economic forecasters predict an immediate rate increase of at least 1.5 percentage points on consumer interest — adding nearly $20,000 to the cost a $175,000, 30-year home mortgage. Lots of U.S. lending rates are based at least in part on the interest rates on U.S. government bonds. If there's a ratings downgrade and U.S. bond yields rise, that will spill over eventually into lending rates. But as Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com, said, lenders must give borrowers at least 45 days' notice before raising their credit card interest rate, and can only raise it on new balances.
Source: Tampabay.com