Mohamed El-Erian on Fed's inflation target: "There's nothing scientific about 2%"

Aug 3, 2023
The investor and college president calls the Fed's stance backward-looking and worries that more rate hikes may lead to a recession.
El-Erian has criticized the Fed's actions through the country's struggle with inflation but says the central bank's final grade is yet to be determined.
Rob Kim/Getty Images

The Federal Reserve could help instant payments catch on

Aug 2, 2023
Many small banks have been hesitant to offer instant payments, even though they’ve been available for years. But the central bank’s FedNow service could cause more banks to give instant payments a try.
A couple of weeks ago, the Federal Reserve launched FedNow, a new payment service that allows people to send and receive money instantly.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

The Fed keeps trying to take away the punch bowl — but the economy parties on

Jul 27, 2023
Economists expected a downturn in economic growth from the first quarter’s 2% annual rate. Instead, growth accelerated to 2.4%.
The newest GDP report showed greater investment in auto and airplane factories, among other things.
Juliette Michel/AFP via Getty Images

The Federal Reserve relies on economic indicators when making decisions. So do small businesses.

Jul 26, 2023
National data, local indicators and informal measures of the economy all play a role.
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Federal Reserve raises key rate for 11th time by a quarter-point, to highest level since 2001

Jul 26, 2023
The move lifted the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate from roughly 5.1% to 5.3% — its highest level in 22 years.
For the Federal Reserve, the drop in inflation from roughly 9% to 3% was the relatively easy part, some analysts say. Getting it down to the Fed’s 2% target will be harder and take longer.
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It's not just the Fed. Central banks around the world are meeting this week.

Jul 24, 2023
The European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and others will also weigh rate hikes. The world will be watching for hints of policy changes.
Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank.
Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images

Milton Friedman’s “long and variable lag,” explained

Jul 24, 2023
A concept popularized by Milton Friedman in the 1960s still influences how the Fed talks about monetary policy today.
The phrase that Milton Friedman popularized — long and variable lag — still helps orient monetary policymakers today.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

FedNow payment system launches

Jul 21, 2023
The Federal Reserve's payment system will allow participating banks to transfer money within seconds.
FedNow will allow banks that participate to transfer money within seconds, something other countries have been able to do for years.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Summer foot traffic has been “kinda funky" Michigan retailer says

Jul 19, 2023
Annie Lang Hartman, owner of stationery and gift store Wild Lettie, is hoping for a steadier flow of shoppers through the busy season.
Wild Lettie via Facebook

The rise of the regional Fed speech

Jul 17, 2023
As the prominence of regional Federal Reserve Bank Presidents has increased over the years, so has the allure of their speeches.
Alex Wong/Getty Images