10 Mar 2006 Long-Term Rates are Finally Rising

Interest rates are rising across the board.  Just last week we discussed the inverted yield curve and the problem it posed for banks and for those who borrow from banks.  Since our last Brief, the yield on the 10-year note has gone up 10 basis points, or a tenth of a percent, while shorter maturities such as the 2-year note is up only modestly.  The result has been a yield curve that is a bit more accommodative for banks.  Our experts believe the yield curve will not change much from here, remaining relatively flat (short term rates close to long-term rates), therefore challenging for banks, but not disastrous for them or the economy.  If the Fed raises the funds rate to 5% by May as many predict, then the 10-year Treasury bond yield will also likely to rise to 5%.