September 18, 2026 – Simeon Wallis, Chief Investment Officer and Partner at Aprio Wealth Management, shares insights with USA TODAY on how the Federal Reserve’s latest rate increase affects borrowers and consumers planning major purchases.
Simeon distinguishes between “stretched consumers,” who often carry more floating-rate debt, and “secure consumers,” who are more likely to hold assets and have low, fixed-rate mortgages. He explains that stretched consumers may feel the effects of higher rates more directly, while financially secure consumers are generally less affected.
For consumers shopping for a vehicle, Simeon notes that buying sooner rather than later may be worth considering, as additional rate increases could make new auto loans more expensive.
To read the full article, visit USA TODAY.