Coordinated Rate Cuts: Central banks around the world, including the Fed, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, jointly announced a series of rate cuts. The fed funds rate was reduced 50 basis points to 1.5%. The Federal Reserve led a global coordinated emergency interest rate cut this morning that included the European Central Bank, Canada, UK, Switzerland and Sweden. The Federal Funds Rate was lowered by 50bp to 1.5%, while the discount rate was also cut by 50bp to 1.75%. The joint effort was to ease the economic effects of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
The coordinated effort helped keep the currency markets in balance – this gave our Fed the green light to cut, without the inflationary concerns from a weaker Dollar. Additionally, the strong Dollar is keeping oil prices in check…much different from the past string of isolated US cuts that led to a much weaker Dollar and skyrocketing oil. And the European Central Bank, which had turned its back on rate cuts (they actually hiked not too long ago) because of its single mandate of fighting inflation, gains cover in making the move to avert a global collapse. Look for more cuts ahead, especially from the ECB and the Bank of England, which both have lots of room to slash rates.
Below is a statement from the Federal Reserve. I think the main point here is that inflation worries have diminished, so the central banks around the world can be much more aggressive in providing liquidity and cheap funds. That’s critical for us and even more so for the central banks in Europe and Australia, who are more hawkish on inflation than we are. The Dow and S&P futures are up this morning, so stocks should stop the freefall at the opening bell (let’s hope). Throughout the current financial crisis, central banks have engaged in continuous close consultation and have cooperated in unprecedented joint actions such as the provision of liquidity to reduce strains in financial markets. Inflationary pressures have started to moderate in a number of countries, partly reflecting a marked decline in energy and other commodity prices. Inflation expectations are diminishing and remain anchored to price stability. The recent intensification of the financial crisis has augmented the downside risks to growth and thus has diminished further the upside risks to price stability.
Some easing of global monetary conditions is therefore warranted. Accordingly, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, Sveriges Riksbank, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing reductions in policy interest rates. The Bank of Japan expresses its strong support of these policy actions. Federal Reserve Actions The Federal Open Market Committee has decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate 50 basis points to 1-1/2 percent. The Committee took this action in light of evidence pointing to a weakening of economic activity and a reduction in inflationary pressures. Incoming economic data suggest that the pace of economic activity has slowed markedly in recent months. Moreover, the intensification of financial market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending, partly by further reducing the ability of households and businesses to obtain credit. Inflation has been high, but the Committee believes that the decline in energy and other commodity prices and the weaker prospects for economic activity have reduced the upside risks to inflation. The Committee will monitor economic and financial developments carefully and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Elizabeth A. Duke; Richard W. Fisher; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Sandra Pianalto; Charles I. Plosser; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh.
In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 50-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 1-3/4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the request submitted by the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Kristen Pope, Parish National Bank & Access Mortgage Corporation
kristen.pope@accessloans.com
800-465-1994 Office | 850-337-7600 Direct Line | 850-585-3335 Cell
