Federal Reserve

2017 was a good year for jobs. Over the past year, (November 2016 to November 2017, the latest figure available), unemployment’s fallen by half a percent to just 4.1 percent. And according to orthodox economics, that means we’re hovering around full employment. Basically, the model says: If unemployment falls lower, employers will be so desperate […]

A big date on the economic calendar this week: the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee meeting Dec. 12 and 13. We’ll find out Wednesday whether it’s raising short-term interest rates again. An important piece of the economic puzzle landed on today with the November jobs report. It showed unemployment at a low 4.1 percent and […]

The GOP tax cuts may add about 0.8 percent to GDP growth during the next 10 years, according to several budget models. But that’s economic growth for an economy that’s already heating up. And you know who you call when the economy gets too hot? The Federal Reserve. It’s the Fed’s job to come in […]

To boost profits, some banks are focusing on core banking businesses and escaping Fed oversight. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

President Trump is expected to announce who he’s nominating for chair of the Federal Reserve tomorrow. Current Chair Janet Yellen’s term ends in February.  One thing will stay the same after Yellen leaves: the Fed’s dual mandate of balancing inflation and unemployment. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.