Major U.S. banks raise prime rates after Fed rate hike

(Reuters) - Major U.S. banks raised their prime rates, a benchmark for a wide range of consumer and commercial loans, for the first time since 2006 on Wednesday, following a rate hike from the Federal Reserve. Banks including Wells Fargo & Co , JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Corp raised their prime rates to 3.5 percent from 3.25 percent. The Fed raised the target for its main short-term rate to a range of 0.25 to 0.50 percent, from a range of 0 to 0.25 percent. A higher prime rate will translate to higher interest rates on a wide range of loans that are keyed off the rate, including small business loans and some credit card loans. Lending out at slightly higher rates could give a small boost to bank earnings in the coming quarters. (Reporting by Dan Wilchins in New York; Editing by Savio D'Souza)