Fed Cuts Discount Rate by 50 Basis Points to 5.75%

The Fed today cut the discount rate to 5.75% sending the message that it to is worried about credit markets. The discount rate is the rate that commercial banks and other depository institutions are charged on loans from regional Federal Reserve offices. In general, banks try to limit their use of Federal Funds because it is generally more expensive than obtaining cash through customer deposits or other means.

Interestingly, I noticed on BestCashCow's rate tables that several large mortgage lenders (Countrywide) have significantly increased the rate they are paying on CDs and savings accounts in an attempt to bring in depositor money. Notice that even these top rates are below the Fed Discount rate.