Not all types of interest rates move in lockstep with the Federal Reserve Board, which influences short-term rates by changing the federal funds rate. Mortgage rates, which are long-term debt, are more aligned to moves in the long-term bond market and are less affected by changes in Fed policy. Other products, such as credit cards, have built-in delays before they reflect Fed actions.

Key interest rates, Jan. 1, 2001 - June 23, 2008

Note: In late 2006, Bankrate changed which credit cards were included in this chart. It now uses an average of all fixed-rate cards.