The United States central bank raised its main interest rate Wednesday for the third time this year.The rate increase could affect not only the U.S. economy, but economies around the world.Experts say the move could mark the end of what has been called the central bank's "accommodative" policy.That monetary policy was put in place after the international financial crisis 10 years ago.With it, bank officials sought to fuel economic growth through low interest rates and big loans.On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank raised its federal funds rate to between two and 2.25 percent.Big, private banks pay this rate for short-term loans from the Federal Reserve, but it affects many other kinds of loans.Observers note that almost all important measures of the U.S. economy are strong.From April to June, the economy grew at a faster-than-expected rate of 4.2 percent.
