Skip to main content

Markets, Analysts Increasingly See a Full Percentage Point Rate Increase at Next Fed Meeting

 WASHINGTON–Many analysts have been forecasting a 75-basis-point increase in the Fed Funds rate when the Federal Open Markets Committee meets July 26-27, but now the markets are predicting it could be a full percentage point increase.

Federal Reserve

The forecasts are coming after the latest Labor Department’s June Consumer Index report showed inflation in June jumped a record 9.1%, the biggest monthly increase since November 1981.

“Fed funds futures for July immediately rose to 81 basis points, meaning investors were pricing in 0.81% in rate hikes from the Fed on July 27. And by the afternoon, market expectations continued to grow, with the fed funds futures pricing in 93 basis points of a hike in July, according to BMO,” CNBC reported. “The market had previously anticipated a rate hike of 0.75 percentage points, but the high reading on the July contract indicates many investors are bracing for a 1% hike. That would be extremely aggressive on top of June’s three-quarter point hike, the largest increase since 1994.”

The fed funds rate range target is currently 1.5%-1.75%.

Edging Higher

Global rate pressure is certainly one reason expectations have kept edging higher, as well as comments from a Fed official.

Andrew Brenner, head of international fixed income at National Alliance Securities, added in comments to CNBC, “You had the Bank of Canada, out of nowhere, went from the solid 75 basis point expectation, which was already high ... and they did 100 basis points.”

Fed President Adds Fuel

Brenner further noted comments from Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic also helped send expectations higher, after he said the latest CPI report is a “concern” and everything is “in play.”

Ben Jeffery, rate strategist at BMO, told CNBC the market was now pricing for a fed funds rate of 2.51% in July, but October futures also pointed to a bigger hike in September.

The September contract was priced for fed funds at 3.23% by October.

As CUToday.info reported here, CUNA is forecasting the Fed funds rate will be 3.15% at year-end 2022 and 3.25% at year-end 2023. 

Mortgage Rates

Meanwhile, mortgage rates are again raising, after posting a drop last week.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.51% in the week ending July 14, up from 5.3% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. That mark is significantly above where rates stood at the same time in 2021, when the 30-year stood at 2.88%.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NCOFCU Newsletter

The Bucket Coach is a financial advice book designed by Fire Services Credit Union, Tronto, Canada. and written exclusively for Fire Fighters It's a practical guide for household financial management, including investments, credit and mortgages, and retirement. Developed with contributions from Fire Fighters," NCOFCU Newsletter : " Kevin Connolly Chief Executive Officer    Fire Services Credit Union Phone: 416-440-1294 ext 301  Toll Free: 1-866-833-3285 E-mail:  kevin@firecreditunion.ca 1997 Avenue Rd Toronto, ON M5M 4A3 

Fed cuts interest rates for the second time this year

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the second time this year in a continued bid to prevent unemployment from surging. Fed officials voted for another quarter-point rate cut, lowering their benchmark lending rate to a range between 3.75% and 4%, the lowest in three years. It is the first time since the Fed’s rate-setting committee was established in the 1930s that officials have set monetary policy while lacking an entire month of crucial government employment data due to a government shutdown. ____________________________________ Check out NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Zelle Says It Will Allow Users to Make International Payments Using Stablecoins

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz .–   Zelle  has announced plans to allow users to start making international payments using stablecoins. The move by Early Warning Services, which operates the P2P payments network Zelle and which is owned by a consortium of large banks, comes in the wake of the passage of the GENIUS Act, which is designed to usher stablecoins into the regulated financial system. Stablecoins are a digital currency that is pegged to a fiat currency such as the U.S. dollar. As the CU Daily reported  here , credit unions were strongly urged during an event last week to not just start paying attention to stablecoins but to begin taking action as interchange income is threatened. Similarly, analysts said the move by Zelle to help users move money across borders is a defensive move in response to what is expected to be the growing use of stablecoins by consumers and businesses. Early Warning Services did not indicate how it would work or when it would launch, according to sever...

Not Your Mother’s Credit Union

“Stablecoins aren’t a speculative play. They’re the next evolution of payments — and a chance for credit unions to lead, not lag. It starts with connecting members to DLT rails - the digital wallet. Without that, nothing else can happen. It’s just a new payment rail - embrace it or lose the relationship. It’s that simple.” While ‘ stablecoins ’ were the prevailing buzzword across Money20/20 this year, the credit union industry had a significant presence. Small financial institutions have staked a place in the future of payments. Credit unions  received a significant boost this summer with the enactment of the stablecoin bill into law. The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act authorizes subsidiaries of federally insured credit unions, such as credit union service organizations, to become issuers. Not Your Mother’s Credit Union A Money20/20  fireside chat  with the regulator for credit unions that I moderated focused on the rulemaking task a...

How Stablecoins Could Prove to Be Anything But Stable for CUs That Don’t Get Moving

LOST PINES, Texas–With the GENIUS Act enacted and the countdown on for NCUA and regulators to get rules in place for stablecoins, credit unions were told it’s “go time” to begin preparing for a new technology that could “eat the lunch” of interchange. The cautionary words came from  Dr. Lamont Black , an associate professor at the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University, where among other things he teaches a graduate course on cryptocurrency, and who is also a fellow in Filene’s Credit Union of the Future Center of Excellence, and who s well-known to many in credit unions for his work and insights.  After several years of speaking to credit unions on crypto, he told  Catalyst Corporate’s  Strategic Summit meeting he has pivoted now due to the rapid change taking place, and in addition to talking about AI (see separate reporting in the CU Daily), he has a warning for CUs when it comes to another emerging technology. Eating the Lunch of Payments “I believe st...

Sunday Reading - What is the Erie Canal?

  Gateway to the West     What is the Erie Canal? The Erie Canal is a 363-mile waterway in New York connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic seaboard, from the Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie at Buffalo ( see map ). Initiated in 1817 for $7M (nearly $200M today), the canal was America’s first major infrastructure project and revolutionized trade and commerce in the United States. The project relied on self-taught amateurs —including teachers, judges, and surveyors. The workers, nearly 50,000, dug the entire canal with hand tools, picks, and gunpowder (dynamite had not yet been invented). The original Erie Canal had 83 locks, each designed to be...

Lifesaving Companion Dog Takes On New Role With Injured Firefighter « CBS New York

Lifesaving Companion Dog Takes On New Role With Injured Firefighter « CBS New York : "NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A badly injured New York firefighter received a companion dog whose already saved people’s lives from fire. As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported, disabled firefighter Tom Prin beamed as he was officially presented with his new canine companion Halona inside of a packed ceremony in Suffolk County. The former firefighter was one of 15 people receiving their canine companions. Prin was chosen because of what he’s been through — after fracturing his neck and back while responding to a Brooklyn fire. “When I was going from the third to fourth floor, the steps gave out and I fell through the fire escape,” he said. Prin has endured five spinal surgeries, but the Holtsville man will now be comforted by Halona who has quite the lifesaving resume herself." Click HERE to read full story and see video 'via Blog this'

CUs Encouraged to Promote Automatic Savings Plans

America Saves Week and Military Saves Week kick off this weekend. The week-long, national campaigns will begin Feb. 19 with events that aim to unite government, nonprofit and corporate groups to encourage individuals and families to save and build personal wealth. This year’s campaign theme – “Set Goals, Make a Plan, Save Automatically” – promotes the need for families to get aggressive with automatic savings.****READ MORE: CUs Encouraged to Promote Automatic Savings Plans :

No Bonuses, No Problem: Why Credit Unions Are Rethinking Incentive Models

Cooperatives across the country are taking a fresh look at employee motivation, with some moving toward a more holistic approach to compensation. Marc Rapport Point/Counterpoint: This story is part of Callahan’s new “Point/Counterpoint” series, examining credit union issues from multiple perspectives. Want a different take on incentives? Learn how two credit unions align staff efforts with organizational goals to boost the bottom line and enhance member value in “Incentives That Power Performance And Improve Outcomes.” Top-Level Takeaways Capital Credit Union’s transition away from individual performance-based incentives has resulted in improved employee engagement, lower turnover, and better member service. Seattle Credit Union is still evaluating the effectiveness of incentive programs, balancing ...

CEOs of CUNA, NAFCU Offer First Public Remarks Since Announcing Merger Plan; Numerous Issues Discussed

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.–The CEOs of CUNA and NAFCU made their first joint appearance  since the two trade groups announced plans to merge, addressing reasons for the proposed merger and what those who may oppose the merger should do, and further speaking to the concerns of smaller CUs and what will happen with conferences, as well as stressing the combination is not being driven by problems at either group. During a 45-minute Q&A at the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) annual meeting, CUNA CEO Jim Nussle and NAFCU CEO Dan Berger answered questions posed by DCUC CEO Tony Hernandez, as well as from CUToday.info and members of the audience. As CUToday.info reported here , the two trade groups are proposing to merge and create a new organization called America’s Credit Unions that will be led by Nussle—who was appearing at the DCUC meeting on the 89 th anniversary of CUNA’s creation--with Berger departing NAFCU at year-end. At one point Berger received a standing ...