The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.76% this week, down from last week when it averaged 6.81%, according to Freddie Mac. A year ago, the rate was 7.22%. The rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was 5.92%, down from last week when it was 5.94%. A year ago, the rate was 6.47%.
Former Fed chairs, economists stress need for independent central bank
The Federal Reserve’s independence and the public’s perception of that independence are critical for U.S. economic performance, a group of former Federal Reserve chairs and economists, including Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, said in a joint statement.










