SEATTLE -- With customers withdrawing $17 billion over the last 10 days from WaMu banks, customers are wondering if their money is safe and could their mortgages and loans face higher rates.

Consumers with money in Washington Mutual banks can rest assured that their money is safe now that JPMorgan Chase owns the banks, but WaMu shareholders have lost what they had left.

"This has to be one of the biggest earthquakes we have ever seen in the financial industry," said Jason Brooks, KIRO News Radio money editor.

Despite customers withdrawing money from WaMu banks, for those who still bank with WaMu their money is safe.

“Your money is still in the bank. It'll just be a different bank. It's going to be under JPMorgan and it's going to be safe," Brooks said.

Although your money is safe, JPMorgan does have the right to change interest rates. That includes credit cards, home equity lines of credit and adjustable rate mortgages.

Anyone who has borrowed money from WaMu and are under contract, JPMorgan must honor all contracts. This includes auto loans, mortgages and certificates of deposits.

"They could renew the terms to a degree. They could change the interest rates and you could end up paying more on that,” Brooks said.

Kim Yates recently took a loan out on her Redmond home through WaMu banks, where she already has savings and checking accounts. When she learned Washington Mutual had been seized and sold, she said she was surprised.

"Of course this comes as a surprise because over the past few weeks we've been told that WaMu was rebounding and doing pretty well," Yates said. "We're going to sit tight, keep our heads on and see how things shake out."

The overall point is that consumers who have been banking with WaMu will likely see little or no change. Your money is safe and guaranteed by the federal government.