Articles tagged under: Federal Reserve
Fed Cuts Benchmark Interest Rates by 25 Percent
Published October 31, 2019
The Federal Reserve has cut the benchmark interest rate by a quarter percent. This is the third interest rate deduction this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also indicated interest rates will likely stay at current levels unless the economy takes…Fed Announces Interest Rate Reduction
Published August 1, 2019
As expected, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percent. This is the first rate cut since 2008. The global economic slowdown and the current trade problems were cited as a reason for the rate adjustment.Fed Reviews Ag Economy
Published July 18, 2019
The latest Federal Reserve Beige Book report on the U.S. economy highlights continuing concern about trade. The farm financial situation is also a worry. The Minneapolis Fed said agricultural conditions worsened from an already weak position in this past month.…Fed Releases Ag Credit Outlook
Published January 18, 2019
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the number of non-real estate farm loans was up eight percent from a year ago. In addition, the size of individual loans increased. The Federal Reserve’s Agricultural Finance Outlook says the year-over-year volume of…Another Interest Rate Bump
Published December 20, 2018
As expected, the Federal Reserve has boosted short-term interest rates for the fourth time this year. The benchmark rate now ranges from 2.25-to-2.5 percent. The Fed also released a statement, indicating a more gradual approach to interest rate increase in…Tariff Concern Seen in Fed’s Beige Book
Published October 25, 2018
Despite a relatively strong general economy, the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book highlights growing anxiety over trade and tariffs. Nearly all of the 12 Fed districts report moderate economic growth, but the downturn in the farm economy was discussed. The Minneapolis…Fed Boosts Interest Rate Again
Published June 14, 2018
As expected, the Federal Reserve bumped the base interest by a quarter of a percent following their meeting Wednesday. Northern Crops Marketing and Investments President Brad Paulson says the stock market reaction was muted, because of the widely expected the rate…Little Change Seen in Interest Rates
Published May 7, 2018
Interest expenses for farmers and ranchers have increased slightly. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the interest rates for most types of farm loans at commercial banks increased between one and one-and-a-half percentage points since 2015. Despite…No Changes Expected in Fed Meeting
Published April 30, 2018
Federal Reserve officials will meet this week and are expected to make no changes to interest rates. The Fed has indicated two more rate increases will be seen this year, but that will likely depend on the level of inflation…