Key insight: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that he would remain at the Fed board after his term as chair expires next month in order to ensure that the central bank can continue to conduct monetary policy independently. Expert quote: “I worry that these attacks are battering the institution and putting at risk the […]
Powell plays his last card as Fed chair Read More »
Key insight: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., officially dropped his opposition to Warsh’s nomination with an aye vote, despite ongoing parts of the DOJ investigation against current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. What’s at stake: Fed independence has been the theme of Warsh’s nomination, with outstanding questions about Warsh’s willingness to lower rates at President Donald Trump’s
Warsh clears Senate Banking Committee Read More »
Key takeaway: The FOMC meets April 28-29 against a backdrop of elevated geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the Iran war, which has contributed to higher energy prices and renewed inflation concerns. The meeting also comes during a leadership transition at the Federal Reserve, with a new chair expected to take over in the coming months. Expert
Interest rates are the most certain thing about FOMC meeting Read More »
Key insight: Tillis’ acquiescence opens the door for a party-line confirmation of Warsh from the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday. What’s at stake: Warsh will have considerable power over the Fed’s rate setting committee as chair of the Federal Reserve Board. Forward look: Warsh’s path to confirmation has now been cleared of its only significant
Tillis drops Warsh objections after DOJ exits Powell case Read More »
Key insight: Cyber risk and the potential for an economic downturn are the leading concerns amongst bankers surveyed by fintech IntraFi. Supporting data: Cyber risk topped bankers’ concerns, with 29% of respondents citing cyber as a top concern, followed by 22% for an economic downturn and 17% for risks related to continuity at the Federal
Bankers most worried about cybersecurity, economy: Survey Read More »
Jerome Powell’s tenure as Federal Reserve chair is coming to an end as the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ended its investigation of alleged cost overruns on the Fed headquarters’ renovations. This paves the way for Kevin Warsh to head the Fed — maybe as soon as May. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as
The outlook for mortgage rates as DOJ clears Fed path for Warsh Read More »
Key insight: The Department of Justice will close its investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell related to his comments regarding building renovations to the Fed’s Washington headquarters, a probe even many Republicans found baseless. Forward look: The conclusion of the probe clears the way for Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., to vote to confirm Kevin
Justice Department to drop Powell investigation Read More »
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday dropped its investigation into the Federal Reserve regarding Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony on the central bank’s headquarters renovation. The decision could ease the path for Kevin Warsh‘s confirmation as Powell’s successor. Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced that she’s closing the investigation and
DOJ drops probe tied to Fed, potentially easing path for Warsh confirmation Read More »
Processing Content Key insight: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed the president’s call in his 2027 budget for a 60% reduction to the Community Development Financial Institution Fund, arguing it had a “partisan agenda.” Supporting data: The president’s budget cut more than $204.5 million from the fund’s budget for fiscal year 2027. Expert quote: “They’re sustaining
Bessent says CDFI Fund ‘had lost its way’ Read More »
Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the 17th chairman of the Federal Reserve, faced sharp questioning from senators on Tuesday at his confirmation hearing. Warsh asserted that he would not be the president’s “sock puppet” when determining interest rate decisions. Warsh, a former Fed governor who served during the 2008 financial crisis,
Senate questions Warsh on $100M-plus holdings and Fed ethics Read More »