Average U.S. rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.69% WASHINGTON (AP) – Feb. 13, 2015 – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week yet remained near historically low levels. Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday the nationwide average for a 30-year mortgage jumped to 3.69 percent from 3.59 percent last week. The average rate is still at its lowest level since May 2013. The rate for the 15-year loan, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, increased to 2.99 percent from 2.92 percent last week. A year ago, the average 30-year mortgage stood at 4.28 percent and the 15-year mortgage at 3.33 percent. Mortgage rates have remained low even though the Federal Reserve in October ended its monthly bond purchases, which were meant to hold down long-term rates. Government data released last Friday showed a resurgent job market in January, signaling that the economy is finally regaining the kind of strength typical of a robust recovery. U.S. employers adde