“The increase raised #TheFed’s benchmark rate to a range of 4.5% to 4.75%, the highest level in 15 yrs. It followed a ½-pt rate increase in Dec & four ¾-pt hikes before that.

“#TheCentralBank’s rate hikes typically lead to more expensive #mortgages, #AutoLoans, #CreditCard #borrowing & #BusinessLending. Last year's ¾-pt rate hikes marked the fastest pace of credit tightening in 4 decades.