If you paid attention to the Federal Reserve's monetary decisions last year, you might have been surprised by something: The central bank's three interest rate cuts didn't help mortgage rates get cheaper for homebuyers.

The central bank’s decision to pause at its first meeting of 2025 followed a series of cuts that began in September to account for progress already made on getting inflation down. Over the course of three meetings, the Fed lowered rates by a full percentage point to a range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent, which was maintained on Wednesday.

Consumers and traders are waiting to learn if the Fed’s pause is a one-meeting hold or the start of a longer stretch.

After implementing three rate cuts in late 2024, the central bank has opted to keep its benchmark federal funds rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50%. The pause comes as inflation showed signs of stubborn persistence,

A rate pause means there's still time to score a high annual percentage yield, or APY, on a CD. Banks tend to follow the Fed's lead when setting CD rates, so we're likely to see APYs hold steady for the time being.

Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth, joined TheStreet to discuss what higher for longer rates means for the economy in 2025. Related: Major housing analyst unveils mortgage forecast ahead of Fed meeting CONWAY GITTENS: So,