Tag Archives: Monetary policy

29Jan/26

Fed Resists Political Pressure to Hold Rates Steady Amid Historic Legal Challenges

January 29, 2026EconomyCentral bank, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve System, Full employment, Greenspan put, Inflation, Inflation surge, Interest rate, Jerome H. Powell, Jerome Powell, Lisa D. Cook, Macroeconomic policy, Monetary policy, Scott Bessent, Trumpadmin

Jan. 29, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In January 2026, the Federal Reserve opted to maintain interest rates at their current levels, pausing a series of previous reductions despite significant political pressure from the Trump administration. This decision was influenced by a resilient economy showing robust growth and a stabilizing, though slightly softened, job market. While the central bank faces a high-stakes Supreme Court battle regarding its governance, Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the necessity of institutional independence and avoiding partisan politics. Two officials dissented in favor of a rate cut, but the majority favored a cautious approach as inflation remains somewhat elevated due to trade tariffs. Ultimately, the sources describe a central bank attempting to navigate economic stability and future policy shifts amidst a backdrop of intense executive scrutiny. Continue reading →

28Jan/26

Zambia Hits Single-Digit Inflation Milestone, Strengthening Case for Lower Interest Rates

January 28, 2026EconomyFinancial economics, Indexation, Inflation, Inflation targeting, Interest rate, Monetary policy, Price stability, Public finance, Zambiaadmin

Jan. 28, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In January 2026, Zambia’s inflation rate dropped to 9.4%, marking a significant milestone as it fell below double digits for the first time in three years. This shift was largely driven by a strengthening national currency, the kwacha, which helped ease the cost of consumer goods. According to reporting from Bloomberg, the sudden slowdown in price increases provides the central bank with more flexibility to lower interest rates. Official data presented by the Statistician-General confirms that the economic environment is stabilizing compared to the higher rates seen in previous months. These developments suggest a positive trend for the copper-rich nation’s economy and its future borrowing costs. Continue reading →

28Apr/25

Equifax 2024 Global Consumer Credit Trends

April 28, 2025EconomyArgentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Consumer price index, Corruption in the United States, Credit, Credit card, Credit history, Credit score, Credit scoring, Debt, Ecuador, Equifax, India, Inflation, Monetary policy, New Zealand, Personal finance, Spain, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

April 14, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Equifax’s 2024 Global Consumer Credit Trends Report offers a broad analysis of consumer credit conditions across ten countries, leveraging the Equifax Cloud™ for enhanced data insights. The report highlights trends in consumer credit demand, debt, delinquencies, and credit card usage, alongside inflation trends. Continue reading →

14Mar/23

Silicon Valley Bank: how interest rates helped trigger its collapse and what central bankers should do next

March 14, 2023FinanceBank, Banking, Central bank, Charles Read, Creative Commons, Economic bubbles, Economy, Financial crisis of 2007–2008, Financial services, Harold Macmillan, Harold Wilson, Interest rate, Monetary policy, Money, New York, Signature Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Stock market crashes, Systemic risk, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, United Kingdom, United States, WASHINGTON MUTUALadmin

Charles Read, University of Cambridge

A former prime minister of Britain, Harold Wilson, is famous for remarking that a week is a long time in politics. But in the world of finance, it seems everything can change in just two days.

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05Aug/22

UK interest rate rise: what the Bank of England’s historic hike means for your money

August 5, 2022FinanceAdjustable-rate mortgage, Central bank, Creative Commons, Economy, Finance, Housing in the United Kingdom, In economics, Inflation, Interest rate, Jonquil Lowe, Monetary policy, Money, Mortgage loan, Quantitative easing, SHUTTERSTOCK, THE BANK OF ENGLAND, Ukraine, United Kingdomadmin

Jonquil Lowe, The Open University

The Bank of England has raised its base rate by 0.5 percentage points, the largest single upward jump in 27 years. It takes the base rate to 1.75%, its highest level since 2008. This latest interest rate hike will affect personal finances and reflects the Bank’s efforts to control rampant inflation amid the cost of living crisis in the UK.

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