Tag Archives: Federal Reserve

Fed Stays in Accommodative Mode

Popular Economics Weekly It looks like Janet Yellen’s Fed will continue to keep interest rates low this year, based on the latest FOMC press release. This is great news for the housing market, in particular, but not necessarily for consumers … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Record Mortgage Originations in 2015, In Spite of FHFA

The Mortgage Corner In addition to very large Consumer credit borrowing that rose $17.2 billion in February (but excludes mortgage lending), the number of new first mortgages increased to a post-recession high in 2015, according to new data from credit … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Nearing Full Employment?

Popular Economics Weekly Are we approaching full employment will be the debate raging within the Federal Reserve and beyond this year. That’s because, “Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Why Such Dismay At Fed Chair Yellen’s Dovish Remarks?

Financial FAQs Janet Yellen gave another speech yesterday, and stocks and bonds rallied. So you would think the pundits would applaud her speech. But, no, with approximately half of the Fed Governors saying they want higher interest rates now, many … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Politics, Uncategorized, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Is the Fed Waiting For Inflation?

Popular Economics Weekly The Federal Reserve should stick with a “wait-and-see monetary response” absent more evidence of sustainable inflation gripping the U.S. economy, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said Tuesday. That seems to be Fed Chairwoman Yellen’s response to current … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

2016 Housing Update

The Mortgage Corner What should happen to U.S. housing in 2016, with interest rates at record lows and a healthy job market? Much will depend on population growth, and in particular the newest largest generation of all—the millennials, or Gen … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, housing market, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Are Mortgage Rates At Historical Lows?

The Mortgage Corner Mortgage rates continued to tumble over the past week as investors fled to the safety of government bonds, pushing Treasury yields down, mortgage provider Freddie Mac said Thursday. This is no surprise given the geopolitical uncertainties buffeting … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Economy Grow With Higher Interest Rates?

Financial FAQs The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee announced it is raising short term interest rates by ¼ percent. But can this economy continue to grow with higher interest rates, as Fed Chairwoman Yellen has promised? That depends on several … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Housing Starts Surge, Millennials Are Buying

The Mortgage Corner The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee has just announced it is raising short term interest rates by ¼ percent. Its press release said: “Given the economic outlook, and recognizing the time it takes for policy actions to … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lower Payroll Employment Tomorrow?

Popular Economics Weekly Will tomorrow’s unemployment report be disappointing, and so cause the Fed to hesitate in raising their overnight interest rate above 0.25 percent, as they’ve been saying they will do this month? The most current economic indicators show … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment