When you go to a bank to open an account, you will find each kind of deposit account comes with a different interest rate, depending on the bank and account. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reports that the type of accounts that usually earn the highest interest rates are money market accounts, then savings accounts, and finally checking accounts. A bank earns a spread on the funds it lends out from those it takes in as a deposit. The net interest margin (NIM), which most banks report quarterly, represents this spread, which is simply the difference between what it earns on loans versus what it pays out as interest on deposits. Of course, this gets much more complicated given the dizzying array of credit products and interest rates used to determine the rate eventually charged for loans. Borrowing during a down economy or when uncertainty is high (about factors such as inflation and a volatile interest rate environment) could be a good strategy for achieving a favorable rate�especially if you choose a time when a bank may be especially motivated to make a deal or give you the best rate possible. Finally, seeking a loan or rate with government backing can also help you secure the lowest rate possible.