Loan Rate Calendar 2026
Alternative-loan APRs key off the federal funds rate. Knowing when the Fed meets — and when lenders reprice — is the difference between catching a refinance window and missing it. Here's every date that matters this year.
Quarterly Fed rate decisions
| Meeting | Date | What it moves | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOMC Meeting (Q1 rate decision) | March 18, 2026 | Federal Reserve rate decision — sets the prime rate that personal-loan APRs key off. | Past |
| FOMC Meeting (Q2 rate decision) | June 17, 2026 | Mid-year Fed meeting. Watch for guidance on the path of personal-loan and HELOC rates. | 16 days |
| FOMC Meeting (Q3 rate decision) | September 16, 2026 | Q3 Fed decision — alternative-lender APR sheets typically reprice within 30 days. | 107 days |
| FOMC Meeting (Q4 rate decision) | December 9, 2026 | Year-end Fed decision. Often the best window to lock a fixed-rate consolidation loan. | 191 days |
FAFSA & refinance windows
How alternative lenders reprice after a Fed move
The Federal Reserve doesn't set personal-loan rates — but it does set the federal funds target, which moves the prime rate almost in lockstep. Most alternative lenders quote their APR sheets as prime + margin, so a 25-basis-point Fed cut typically shows up in lender quotes within 14–30 days.
Three things to watch
- FOMC calendar — the Fed publishes meeting dates a year in advance.
- The dot plot released after each meeting — projections that often move rates more than the decision itself.
- Lender prequal pages — refresh your prequal quote within 30 days of any FOMC meeting.
The refinance break-even rule
Refinancing an existing loan only pays off if your monthly savings outrun the closing costs inside your remaining term. Use the Refinance Calculator to see lifetime savings and break-even in months.
Next step
Calculate your current loan's payment, or model a refi with our Loan Payment Calculator.
- FAFSA Opens (2026-27 award year) — Application windowJanuary 1, 2026
- FOMC Meeting (Q1 rate decision) — FOMCMarch 18, 2026
- FOMC Meeting (Q2 rate decision) — FOMCJune 17, 2026
- FAFSA Federal Deadline — Application windowJune 30, 2026
- FOMC Meeting (Q3 rate decision) — FOMCSeptember 16, 2026
- FOMC Meeting (Q4 rate decision) — FOMCDecember 9, 2026
- End-of-Year Refinance Window — Application windowDecember 15, 2026