Economic news

Over the weekend Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said setting interest rates should be a "political decision" with input from elected officials.

As the 2024 election season once again puts the Federal Reserve's independence under a microscope, some observers see a weakness in one of the landmark policy arrangements that undergird the financial system as we know it.

Gary Quinzel, vice president of portfolio consulting at Wealth Enhancement Group, gives his views about monetary policy and offers his opinion on the FOMC statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said that economic data seems to indicate that the economy will achieve a so-called "soft landing" but said he would like to see additional data before the central bank cuts interest rates.

The Federal Reserve chairman has two years left in his term, which he will serve regardless of who occupies the White House. Powell's term on the Fed Board of Governors expires in 2028.

The central bank also noted that the banking system is sound but faces several challenges. The report precedes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming appearances on Capitol Hill.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says crushing inflation is the most important thing the Fed can do to reduce costs in the housing market. Some economists and policy specialists say higher rates are not the only tool at its disposal.

The Federal Reserve chair said a rate cut would not solve the underlying issues driving up shelter costs, even as housing becomes a disproportionate driver of inflation.

Late payments, which have been on a steady rise since 2021, are now climbing at a slower rate or even declining at some major card issuers. Risks remain, but there's 'reason to be cautiously optimistic," one analyst said.

Though hard times put a dent in profitability, asset quality and net interest margin continued to shine among the list of the best performing publicly traded community banks.