Skip to main content

Federal Reserve Increases Rates

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been strong in recent months, and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Recent data suggest that growth rates of household spending and business fixed investment have moderated from their strong fourth-quarter readings. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy have continued to run below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation have increased in recent months but remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The economic outlook has strengthened in recent months. The Committee expects that, with further gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace in the medium term and labor market conditions will remain strong. Inflation on a 12-month basis is expected to move up in coming months and to stabilize around the Committee's 2 percent objective over the medium term. Near-term risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced, but the Committee is monitoring inflation developments closely.

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments. The Committee will carefully monitor actual and expected inflation developments relative to its symmetric inflation goal. The Committee expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant further gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. However, the actual path of the federal funds rate will depend on the economic outlook as informed by incoming data.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chairman; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Lael Brainard; Loretta J. Mester; Randal K. Quarles; and John C. Williams.

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in First Responder Credit Unions

Credit unions spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and marketing dollars trying to acquire new members. But many institutions — especially sponsor-based first responder credit unions — are sitting on one of the most valuable growth opportunities already inside their existing membership base. The joint owner population. Every day, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, dispatchers, and other first responders join credit unions through sponsor relationships. During account opening, spouses or partners are often added as joint owners for convenience. They help manage the household finances. They use the debit card. They log into online banking. They interact with the credit union regularly. Yet in many cases, they never actually become full member-owners of the cooperative. They are connected to the institution — but not fully part of it. And that creates a major strategic opportunity. Why Joint Owner Conversion Matters For sponsor-based credit unions, converting joint owners into full m...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

ACU Calls For Full Political Engagement As Election Cycle Heats Up, Warns Of Well-Funded Opposition

  WASHINGTON--Credit unions need every advocacy resource at their disposal, and in an election year, that means supporting credit union champions, America’s Credit Unions emphasized. ACU President/CEO Scott Simpson and Head of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins outlined credit unions’ role in supporting those champions in the 120th Congress as the 2026 election cycle resumes with primaries next week. Scott Simpson “It’s important that we defend those who defend us, that we help those who help us,” Simpson said, referring to policymakers who have supported the credit union tax status and regulatory relief, while opposing new interchange mandates, to name a few issues. “This is an opportunity for us to lean in, to marshal all the available resources that we can. Our counterparts in the for-profit financial space, those who are devoted to harming us, can vastly out-resource us.” Hawkins shared potential outcomes for control of chambers of Congress, but noted credit unions have support reg...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Discussions Reportedly Underway Over Allowing Donations of Co. Stock to Trump Accounts for Kids

WASHINGTON — White House and Treasury Department officials are discussing whether to expand the Trump administration’s new investment accounts for American children to allow donations of individual company stock. The accounts, formally known as Section 530A accounts and referred to by supporters as “Trump accounts,” are scheduled to begin accepting contributions on July 4, The New York Times reported. The program has already received billions of dollars in philanthropic commitments. Under current rules, the accounts are limited to cash investments placed into diversified index funds. According to The New York Times, administration officials are now considering whether wealthy individuals could instead donate shares of their companies directly into the accounts. The proposal has reportedly been championed by venture capitalist Brad Gerstner, founder of Altimeter Capital, who helped develop the 530A account initiative. Gerstner has discussed the idea with administration officials, The Ne...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Senate Banking To Vote Thursday On Landmark Digital Assets Bill

“NCOFCU appreciates the Senate Banking Committee’s continued work during next week’s markup hearing to establish a clear and responsible regulatory framework for digital assets,” said the National Council of Fire Fighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) leadership. “As lawmakers consider this legislation, it is essential that first responder credit unions are recognized as a vital part of the financial services ecosystem and are not overlooked in the evolving digital asset landscape. Credit unions serving police, fire, EMS, and other emergency personnel must have equitable access to innovation, regulatory clarity, and the tools necessary to continue supporting the financial readiness and resilience of America’s first responders.” Grant Sheehan CEO WASHINGTON—The Senate Banking Committee will vote on the long-awaited CLARITY Act this Thursday, Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) announced Friday. Tim Scott The announcement marks a potentially major step forward for legislation that would establis...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Cutting Through The Stablecoin Noise—What Credit Unions Actually Need To Know Now

By Ray Birch DOVER, Del.—By any measure, stablecoins have quickly become one of the most talked-about—and least understood—topics in credit union boardrooms. The pressure to “do something” is building, fueled by headlines, fintech momentum and a growing fear of being left behind. But according to InvestiFi CEO Kian Sarreshteh, that urgency may be misplaced. “There’s a lot of FOMO right now,” Sarreshteh said. “If I don’t adopt a stablecoin solution this year, I’m going to be left behind. I would argue pretty strongly that’s very far from the truth.” Instead of rushing to sign up for a Stablecoin pilot, Sarreshteh said credit unions should begin with a more fundamental question: what problem are you actually trying to solve? While stablecoins are often discussed as a potential challenger to traditional payment rails dominated by Visa and Mastercard, he believes that kind of mass-market disruption remains years away—especially in the U.S., where consumers already have fast, convenient opt...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Fire Family Foundation Establishes Erksine Fire: Rebuilding Lives and Community Fund

Fund Will Assist Fire Victims and Firefighters in Kern County July    8, Los Angeles, CA:   Responding to the emergency of deadly wildfires that are currently blazing through communities in Kern County, Fire Family Foundation, the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, has created the Erskine Fire: Rebuilding Lives and Community Fund. California’s largest wildfire so far this year, the Erskine fire erupted Thursday afternoon and continues to burn; two people have died, thousands have left their homes, 200 homes were destroyed with many others severely damaged. Four firefighters who were working on the blaze learned the sad news that their own homes were completely destroyed by the fire. The Erskine Fire Fund will dedicate 100% of the funds raised to be distributed to firefighters and fire victims; funds will be used for short-term assistance to pay expenses for essential and immediate needs from food to mortgages/rent "Our firefighters are battli...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

NCUA Identifies Supervisory Priorities for 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–In a new  Letter to Credit Unions , NCUA has outlined its supervisory priorities and other updates for its 2024 examination program. The agency said the areas identified are those with the highest risk to credit union members and the insurance fund. As CUToday.info has previously reported, growing financial strains and liquidity risks are cited by the agency, as well as the growth in the number of composite CAMELS code 3, 4, and 5 credit unions.  The agency further noted: Its exam flexibility initiative will continue in 2024, extending the exam cycle for certain credit unions. It will continue its Small Credit Union Exam Program in most federal credit unions with assets of $50 million or less. Supervisory Priorities f...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

NAFCU - Vehicle Sales Decline During 2017

ARLINGTON, Va.—Vehicle sales in 2017 totaled 17.23 million units, non-seasonally adjusted, marking the first year-over-year sales decline since 2009. Total vehicle sales increased in December to 17.85 million seasonally adjusted, annualized units but were down 1.7% from a year ago. "Looking ahead, sales are expected to trend down further in 2018 as pent-up demand from earlier years diminishes," observed NAFCU Research Assistant Yun Cohen in a Macro Data Flash report. "In addition, banks are tightening standards on auto loans according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve, which could lead to credit constraints. Despite the slowdown, vehicle sales are expected to remain strong in light of a strong labor market and growing economy." According to data by Autodata Corp., car sales decreased from 6.3 million to 6.1 million annualized units during the month. However, sales of light trucks increased from 11.2 million to 11.8 million annualized units, Cohen no...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

'Victory is Elusive': CU Economist Agrees Fed Rate Cuts Questionable Following New CPI Report

04/10/2024 11:01 am WASHINGTON–A credit union economist has joined with other economists and analysts in forecasting a delay in any rate cuts by the Fed in 2024 following today’s inflation report. The newly released Consumer Price Index climbed 3.8% on an annual basis after stripping out food and fuel prices. That “core” index was stronger than the 3.7% increase economists expected, and unchanged from 3.8% in February.  Counting in food and fuel, the inflation measure climbed 3.5% in March from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February and faster than what many had forecast.  "Victory in the Federal Reserve's inflation fight remains elusive with a stubbornly high headline consumer price index increase of 0.4% in March, matching February's disappointing result,” said America's Credit Unions VP-data and research, chief econom...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Ten-Year Treasury Hits a 15-Year High

WASHINGTON–The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note has hit a 15-year high, which could lead to higher costs for many borrowers. The increase in yields is also “raising concern” on Wall Street about the potential fallout in the stock, bond and housing markets, the Wall Street Journal added. A key benchmark for interest rates across the economy, the 10-year yield settled at 4.258%, according to Tradeweb, up from 4.220% earlier this week, marking its highest close since June 2008, months before the collapse of Lehman Brothers and expansive Federal Reserve policy “ushered in more than a decade of historically low bond yields,” the Journal added. ‘Nervous’ Investors “The rise in yields is making investors nervous, because past surges have at...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»