Market signals
Economic headlines, read for a borrower
The news moves markets every day. Only some of it reaches a personal loan, and usually later than the headlines suggest. These pages show which signals matter and how.
The Fed and inflation
The meetings and reports that move short-term rates.
- FOMC FOMC meetings explained Who votes, the 2026 dates, what moves on decision day, and why your fixed-rate loan does not. Updated Nov 11, 2026
- CPI The CPI report and borrowing Headline vs. core, the missing October figure, the Fed's PCE goal, and how a hot reading reaches loan offers. Updated Nov 11, 2026
Jobs, markets and lending
What the economic headlines say, and do not say, about the loan you can get.
- JOBS The jobs report and borrowing Payrolls vs. the household survey, revisions, October 2026 figures, and what lenders ask about your job. Updated Nov 11, 2026
- STOCKS Stocks and loan rates Why stock prices do not set your APR, when markets and loan costs move together, and the 401(k) angle. Updated Nov 11, 2026
- SLOOS Bank lending standards Net tightening explained, the October 2026 consumer results, and what to do when approvals get harder. Updated Nov 11, 2026
- G19 The consumer credit report What the Fed's G.19 counts, revolving vs. nonrevolving, and how the bank rate average is sampled. Updated Nov 11, 2026
- CYCLE Recessions and borrowing How recessions are dated, what downturns did to rates and approvals, hardship help, and a checklist. Updated Nov 11, 2026