Do Banking practices hurt economies?

[Inspires33]

Banks could be more competitive don't you think? They are able to mark up loans with very high interest rates with little competition and rake in some serious profits. I would like to see more alternatives to the big banks high rates

Banks have been the main way to get started with loans and that kind of thing. These very low interest rates are not by the banks but by the central bank. I think it is a bad sign for the economy to have the interest rates this low. Who knows what could happen from here on out.

[CentralBanker]

Banks have been the main way to get started with loans and that kind of thing. These very low interest rates are not by the banks but by the central bank. I think it is a bad sign for the economy to have the interest rates this low. Who knows what could happen from here on out.

The interest rates are artificial. These are set up by the Federal reserve bank. The rates are kept low due to the economy but this is only a temporary heal and there are negative side-effects. For example: low bond yields.

[mOniqueR]

Banks charged customers fewer overdraft fees in 2011 that in 2010. However, on an average, the fees were higher. The financial research firm Moebs Services released the findings in its latest yearly survey of the overdraft market. You can avoid an overdraft fee if you use an installment loan, which is cheaper most of the time. Just like what I did.