How the Federal Reserve's "discount window" works

Mar 16, 2020
The Fed's cut to its short-term, emergency loan rate is meant to keep credit flowing to households and businesses.
The Fed also announced a cut in the discount rate in an attempt to stimulate the economy during the downturn caused by COVID-19.
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Wall Street awaits Fed Chair Powell’s Friday speech for signs of further rate cuts

Aug 22, 2019
The Fed’s annual Economic Policy Symposium is like the Academy Awards for a certain type of economist.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30:   Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell pauses during a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting January 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Fed has decided to leave interest rates unchanged. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The first rate cut in over 10 years: what a difference a decade makes

Jul 31, 2019
A global economic meltdown caused the last rate cuts. Today, the economy is far from that point.
Newspapers at a newsstand on Sept. 16, 2008, in New York City, at the height of the Great Recession.
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What questions do you have about the Federal Reserve?

Jul 24, 2019
With the Fed expected to cut interest rates next week, let us know what you want us to answer about the central bank.
Jerome Powell during his confirmation hearing for Fed Chair in late 2017.
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Fed Chair says corporate debt a concern, not yet a catastrophe

May 21, 2019
The ratio of business debt to U.S. GDP is at historic highs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said signs don’t point to corporate debt bringing down the whole financial system. But he also said there are some things we don’t know about the levels of corporate debt, especially the risky debt.  Click on the audio player […]
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell.
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The Fed holds interest rates steady, reflecting moderate economic slowdown

Mar 21, 2019
In a sharp turn from December’s forecasts, the Federal Reserve announced yesterday that it will hold short-term interest rates steady. The announcement comes amid signs of a slowing economy and weakening consumer and business spending. For workers and the housing market, however, the economy is still healthy.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on March 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Powell said the Fed will not raise interest rates this quarter as was previously expected.
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Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari says raising interest rates too soon could lead to a recession

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the fourth time this year.
Neel Kashkari, then the acting interim assistant secretary for financial stabilization at the Treasury Department, arrives for a hearing on Capitol Hill back in 2009.
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Fed lifts rates for 4th time this year but sees fewer hikes

Dec 19, 2018
The quarter-point hike, to a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent, lifts the Fed’s benchmark rate to its highest point since 2008.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC, September 26, 2018.
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