Economic news

Banks are taking hits in the stock market as they use 2024 to restructure balance sheets and inflation slightly increased in November.

The Federal Open Market Committee cut the fed funds target again in December but signaled fewer cuts in 2025. There was some dissent. The markets are watching to see if the Federal Reserve pauses its easing cycle in January. Join us at noon, Eastern, on Jan. 30 as Brian Rehling, head of global fixed-income strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, recaps and parses the previous day's FOMC meeting and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

Analysts are unsure what the Federal Open Market Committee will do with monetary policy in 2025. The panel projects two rate cuts, but some analysts expect more, and others see fewer.

The Federal Reserve is poised to make several key decisions during the year ahead that will impact monetary policy both in the near term and for years to come.

The Federal Reserve lowered its policy rate but signaled a more "cautious" approach to future cuts in light of higher inflation expectations. Policy uncertainty was one of several contributing factors to that change in forecast.

The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points Wednesday, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell will take questions from reporters following the meeting.

This year, American Banker reporters dove deep into topics such as gambling addiction, Citigroup's rebuild, the Small Business Administration, fraud and monetary policy for its feature articles. Check out the most consequential articles of the year.

A week ahead of inauguration day, Scott Colbert, executive vice president, director of fixed income and chief economist at Commerce Trust, takes a look at how the Federal Reserve and the economy will fare in President-elect Donald Trump's second run in the White House. Social Media Pitch: X: As we prepare for Trump 2.0, Join us live at 11 a.m. on Jan. 16 to hear Scott Colbert, executive vice president at Commerce Trust, as we discuss the economy and the Fed in a second Trump presidency. FB/LI: As we prepare for Trump 2.0, Join us live at 11 a.m. on Jan. 16 to hear Scott Colbert, executive vice president at Commerce Trust, discuss the economy and the Fed in a second Trump presidency. The relationship between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell has been contentious, but Trump has backed away from suggestions he'd fire the chair.

Annualized inflation increased to 2.7% in November from 2.6% the previous month, providing further evidence that the economy remains strong despite restrictive monetary policy.

After hurricanes and strikes stalled job growth in October, the economy added 227,000 jobs in November.