Monetary policy

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank would not hesitate to take rates to their lower bound again, despite the challenges that rising rates have posed to banks. Economists and policy experts say other parts of the crisis playbook warrant reconsideration.

In their latest economic forecasts, 12 of 19 Fed officials said they expect to raise rates once more this year. 

Speaking in an interview following the G-20 summit in New Delhi, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is optimistic that the United States will be able to tame inflation without dipping the economy into recession.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said inflation relief from the housing sector is "in the pipeline" but some say strong underlying demand and an inadequate housing supply could disrupt future rate pauses or cuts.

The Federal Reserve has been reducing its liabilities steadily since last March, and those effects are starting to be felt. But how low it should ultimately go — and how long it can stay low — is a tricky question.

The reserve bank formally kicked off its search to replace former President James Bullard, who held a doctorate in economics and was lauded for his communication skills.

In his highly anticipated speech in Jackson Hole, the Federal Reserve chair acknowledged the progress made in cooling down inflation, but said the central bank would not hesitate to raise rates further if needed.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell is expected to tout the economy's brightening prospects while communicating to markets that the central bank's fight against inflation is not yet over in his address at an economic summit in Jackson Hole, Wyo. on Friday.

Key data points have shown price and wage pressures continue to dissipate, which should bolster the case for an end to rate increases, but strong labor-market activity may keep policymakers uneasy.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin said the greater-than-expected easing in inflation in June may be an indication that the U.S. economy can have a "soft landing," returning to price stability without a damaging recession.

"I haven't made up my mind for what should happen in September," Goolsbee said.

After holding at its last meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee may decide to raise rates again in July.

In a speech, the Federal Reserve Board governor said tighter monetary policy is not to blame for the volatility seen in the banking system this spring.

Once it is free to issue new debt, the Treasury Department is expected to quickly replenish its general account at the Fed. The move could lead to a shortage of reserves.

The Federal Reserve Board governor said secular increases to the currency supply limits how much the central bank can shrink its holdings.

"If the banking stresses start to bring inflation down for us, then maybe we're getting closer to being done. I just don't know right now," said Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari.

The FOMC meets June 13-14. Join us June 15 at 2 p.m., Eastern time, as Jeffrey Cleveland, chief economist at Payden & Rygel, provides his take on the meeting statement, Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell's press conference and the latest Fed projections.

The Federal Reserve meeting May 2-3 will be closely watched for hints about what the FOMC's next move is. Join BNP Pariba U.S. Economist Yelena Shulyatyeva at 11 a.m. May 4 as she takes a look at the meeting and Chair Powell's press conference.

Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Thomas Barkin said he wants to see more evidence that U.S. inflation is easing back to the central bank's goal of 2%.

All eyes will be on the minutes from the March meeting, set to be released Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Washington, for details about the debate over bank failures and how to respond.