Central banking
European Central Bank cuts rates again, says policy is becoming ‘meaningfully less restrictive’
The European Central Bank on Thursday cut interest rates by 25 basis points and updated the language in its decision to say monetary policy was becoming “meaningfully less restrictive.” The cut brings the ECB’s deposit facility rate, its key rate, to 2.5% — a move that markets had widely priced in before the announcement. “Monetary […]
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European Central Bank to make ‘last easy rate cut’ as tariffs, higher fiscal spending loom
The European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates for the second time this year at its Thursday meeting, but disagreement among policymakers may be set to increase amid tariff uncertainty and a potential ramp-up in regional defense spending. Markets had on Wednesday fully priced in a quarter-point rate cut for the March meeting, […]
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Bundesbank proposes debt reform that could add 220 bln euros to spending
Joachim Nagel, president of the Deutsche Bundesbank, during a presentation of the Bundesbank’s 2024 Annual Report in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Alex Kraus | Bloomberg | Getty Images Germany’s central bank proposed on Tuesday a far-reaching reform of the country’s constitutionally enshrined cap on borrowing, which could give the government up to […]
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Bank of Korea cuts rates to lowest since August 2022 to boost sluggish growth
People walk past the Korea Exchange (KRX) building in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 9, 2024. Daniel Ceng | Anadolu | Getty Images South Korea’s central bank cut rates by 25 basis points Tuesday to their lowest since August 2022, as it strives to stimulate a slowing economy. The Bank of Korea cut rates to […]
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Fed officials are worried about tariffs’ impact on inflation and see rate cuts on hold, minutes show
Federal Reserve officials in January agreed they would need to see inflation come down more before lowering interest rates further, and expressed concern about the impact President Donald Trump’s tariffs would have in making that happen, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday. Policymakers on the Federal Open Market Committee unanimously decided at the meeting to […]
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New Zealand slashes rates for a fourth straight time in bid to boost a slowing economy
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) building in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Mark Coote | Bloomberg | Getty Images New Zealand’s central bank on Wednesday slashed benchmark rates by 50 basis points to 3.75%, marking its fourth straight cut, as easing inflation offers the central bank room to boost a […]
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India’s inflation falls for third straight month to 4.31% in January, making case for further monetary easing
India’s central bank held its key interest rate for a seventh straight policy meeting on Friday as growth in the economy is expected to remain robust while inflation stays above the 4% target. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images India’s headline inflation dipped year-on-year for a third straight month to 4.31% in January, providing more […]
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Powell squashes the possibility that the Fed will develop its own digital currency
Key Points Fed Chair Jerome Powell asserted Tuesday that the central bank will not develop its own digital currency as long as he is in charge, ending several years of speculation. Over the years, multiple officials have raised concerns, with most saying there was no obvious need for a CBDC and citing concerns over privacy […]
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Fed Chair Powell says central bank doesn’t ‘need to be in a hurry’ to lower interest rates further
Key Points Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated the central bank’s commitment to bringing inflation down and signaled that policymakers aren’t in a rush to get interest rates lower. Powell’s comments came in the first of two appearances this week on Capitol Hill. Source
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Watch Fed Chair Powell testify live before the Senate Banking Committee
[The stream is slated to start at 10 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivers his semiannual remarks on monetary policy and the economy this week on Capitol Hill. First up will be an appearance Tuesday before the Senate […]
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