Interest rates affect our financial life in two ways, either when it comes to savings, in which case we want higher interest rates, and with loans and other lines of credit related to repayment, in which case we want lower interest rates. When we start our savings account or obtain a loan or credit card, we should negotiate the best rates possible.
We often get these accounts, cards, and loans and don’t know we can do better because we feel as though these rates are set in stone. There is nothing further from the truth. Here are three ways to get the best interest rates and bang for your buck with your banking institution.
Choosing a Bank
Banks are about getting your business. The banking industry is competitive; therefore, you can afford to be choosy. Here are some things to look for in a bank that will get you higher returns on your savings and lower rates on lines of credit:
- Low bank fees
- Higher interest savings account
- Interest gaining checking account
- ATM fee forgiveness
- Cashback checking account
- Low-interest membership loans
- Low-interest credit card
The bottom line is when choosing a banking institution. You want to make sure it is well-rounded and gives you a lot of value for your money. In some cases, credit unions, online-only banks, and banks created to serve specific customers tend to have more to offer members than chain banks. However, don’t count those chain banks out. Many of them are making changes to match their more specialized competitors.
Renegotiation
If you already have a banking institution and are not getting a high return on your savings or are paying high-interest rates on loans or other lines of credit such as credit cards, it is time to renegotiate. Remember, banks are competing for your business, so you might be surprised at how willing they are to negotiate. It is a business, so they may not advertise that they are excited to negotiate lower revenue for themselves, but they also don’t want to lose the gains they get from having you as a customer.
Keep in mind that they are more willing to negotiate with someone who is a loyal customer who has been making deposits and regular and on-time payments, so before you go in for the renegotiation, be armed with data that supports your status as a loyal customer that should reap the rewards for that loyalty. Another bargaining chip that every bank member has is that they can take their business elsewhere, so use that fact as leverage if your current bank is unwilling to renegotiate terms.
You can go to another bank that offers better terms upfront, and if you carry a credit card, loan, or other lines of credit with the bank you are leaving, there are options to relieve you of those debts so that you can break all ties. Remember, banks need you more than you need them, so you do have some power.
Credit Repair
In many cases, the reason you have the interest rates you do is because of poor credit. You can do many things to raise your credit score and repair it, which will give you more financial strength to get better rates or qualify for banking institutions that factor in credit reports when setting up accounts or considering lines of credit. Here are some things you can do to repair your credit and give you more power:
- Get a secured credit card and charge items you can immediately pay off
- Get a secured loan and make double payments or pay in full quickly
- Pay off any legitimate issues on your credit report
- Dispute any non-legitimate issues on your credit report
- Make double monthly payments on any bills that report to credit bureaus
- Obtain a low-interest loan to pay off all debts to consolidate them
There are many other things you can do to improve and repair your credit. All that is required to fix and raise your credit is effort. Many of those who have poor credit give up hope and don’t realize they can fix it and that it is never too late.
Conclusion
These three focus areas will ensure that you get the best interest rates and returns on accounts or rates that have gains attached. They will also ensure that you will get the lowest interest rates possible when you obtain credit cards and other credit lines through your banking institution. One thing is guaranteed. If you do nothing, you gain nothing, so there is no downside to trying.
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