Investor protection: Why a trader should be wary of her broker’s knowledge of the economy.

I just finished reading an article written by David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management. In the article, Dr. Kelly shares his thoughts on what he describes as “the delicate health of the economic expansion.” Dr. Kelly estimates that gross domestic production may be viewed as stagnant based on GDP numbers due … Continue reading Investor protection: Why a trader should be wary of her broker’s knowledge of the economy.

Law, Interbank and Money Markets News Scan: Counseling my clients to get politicians on code.

The Takeaway: Counseling my clients to get politicians on code. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed HR 1968, a continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2025 but at Fiscal Year 2024 levels for most programs. The big hubba baloo in the media is over what appears to be continued weakness … Continue reading Law, Interbank and Money Markets News Scan: Counseling my clients to get politicians on code.

Interbank market news scan: HR 146 provides no rationale for prohibiting payment of interest on reserve balances

Tomorrow is President’s Day in the United States, so banks and the US government are closed for the holiday. Back on 9 January, I discussed the introduction of HR 146, Prohibition of IOER Act of 2025, a bill that would prohibit the payment of interest on reserve balances in excess of minimum requirements. During my … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: HR 146 provides no rationale for prohibiting payment of interest on reserve balances

Fed Day: The Community Reinvestment Act misses growth creation in low-income communities.

I live in the 30310-zip code made up primarily of Atlanta’s West End neighborhood. There is a population of approximately 26,062 people with a median income of $24,604. 79.9% of the residents classify themselves as African American or black, while 12.4% of residents classify themselves as white or Caucasian. The unemployment rate hovers around 4.6%. … Continue reading Fed Day: The Community Reinvestment Act misses growth creation in low-income communities.

The Federal Reserve, banking, and managing political theatrics ….

The Federal Open Market Committee issued a decision last Wednesday to maintain the target range of its federal funds rate between 5.25% and 5.50%. For banks that need to borrow from the Federal Reserve System’s discount window, rates for this lender of last resort facility is at 5.50%. Within the interbank market, banks will continue to see … Continue reading The Federal Reserve, banking, and managing political theatrics ….

The Court’s role in supporting monetary policy.

At times I think that traders and bank depositors operate in sandboxes oblivious to the rest of the playground that surrounds their play area. The media offers enough noise to distract market participants from the philosophy that orders the interaction between the State, the banking system, and transactional markets. I consider banks to be the retailer of … Continue reading The Court’s role in supporting monetary policy.

Jerome Powell simply chooses not to opine on fiscal policy. Congress chooses not to read the Fed’s reports.

The takeaway … Two times a year, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System heads up to Capitol Hill to deliver a semi-annual report on the state of U.S. monetary policy to both chambers of Congress. You can almost guarantee that at least two representatives or two senators will ask … Continue reading Jerome Powell simply chooses not to opine on fiscal policy. Congress chooses not to read the Fed’s reports.