Author: yenkai

  • Fed funds rate unchanged at 2%

    The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has kept the federal funds rate at 2.0% – news that is not news since it was widely anticipated. What is more important to note perhaps, is that “in its statement, the Fed gave no sign that it plans to change policy in the foreseeable future.” Excerpts from news…

  • Studies have shown..

    Found another article explaining Interbank Interest Rate Determination in Singapore. Published in 1999 by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), it stipulates that Only changes in US interest rates or market expectations of future movements in the exchange rate have a significant impact on the domestic interbank rate.

  • Interest rate parity

    One step forward in my quest on what moves interest rates – interest rate parity. Simply put, this theory states that the interest rate differential between two countries is equal to the differential between the forward exchange rate and the spot exchange rate.

  • Fed Funds and SIBOR correlation

    Since we are often told that SIBOR tracks the Fed Funds rate, i decided to get down to prove this to myself. Here’s the comparison chart.

  • Fixed rate package interest rates trending up

    Since fixed rate home loan rates are rarely published online, i decided to do a survey in person. I went to a bank i have been to five months back and found out that indeed the 1 year fixed rate package is now at 3.68% as reported. The last time i was there it was…

  • What moves interest rates

    Every home owner who cares about how much monthly installment and interest they pay should be interested to know, what moves interest rates? Specifically, what determines the home loan rates here in Singapore? It is often said in news articles that Singapore rates track the United States Federal Reserve rate. That almost seem like too…

  • Singapore SOR falls to 1.09

    SOR has fallen consecutively for 3 days to a new low of 1.09%! SIBOR or SOR pegged loan packages may be drawing more interest now that there are no more cheap mortgages as banks raise rates. Quoting from the Jun 12 article: No more cheap mortgages as banks raise rates UOB and OCBC Bank have…

  • Beginner Barista with Krups XP4020

    So i’ve had my Krups XP4020 for a month now and i’m just starting to get the hang of making coffee proper. If you are a new owner of an espresso machine, hit the net and check out the bountiful resources that teaches you barista know-how. Here are some beginner skills i learned.

  • Unlimited calls through mobile broadband

    Here are further ideas on how to take advantage of VOIP.

  • Mobile broadband talk is cheap

    Here’s an idea your Telco doesn’t want you to know – you could use VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) on mobile broadband or data plans and save bundles on phone calls. Mobile broadband plans are available now for cheap. Here’s a sample of what’s available: