January 28, 2021

Northwest FCS News

Meeting Date:  January 26-27, 2021

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Results

This meeting was a virtual  meeting

Fed pledges to use full range of tools to assist the economy. Fed does not change rates - keeps interest rate range at 0.0% - 0.25%.

Fed claims that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world and warns of additional economic and financial harm that the virus might cause.

Federal Reserve will continue to increase its holdings of Treasury securities by at least $80 billion per month and of agency mortgage-backed securities by at least  $40 billion per month until substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee's maximum employment and price stability goals.

 

 Economic Highlights:
The Federal Reserve pledges to do everything in its power to assist the economy.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic is causing tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world. 
  • The pace of the recovery in economic activity and employment has moderated in recent months, with weakness concentrated in the sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic.
  • Weaker demand and earlier declines in oil prices have been holding down consumer price inflation.
  • Overall financial conditions remain accommodative, in part reflecting policy measures to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses.
  • The path of the economy will depend significantly on the course of the virus, including progress on vaccinations. The ongoing public health crisis continues to weigh on economic activity, employment, and inflation, and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook.”

Announcements
Fed funds rate unchanged. Fed funds range remains at 0.0% -0.25%. Fed pledges more bond buying if necessary. 
  • "The Committee decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and expects it will be appropriate to maintain this target range until labor market conditions have reached levels consistent with the Committee's assessments of maximum employment and inflation has risen to 2 percent and is on track to moderately exceed 2 percent for some time.
  • In addition, the Federal Reserve will continue to increase its holdings of Treasury securities by at least $80 billion per month and of agency mortgage-backed securities by at least $40 billion per month until substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee's maximum employment and price stability goals.
  • These asset purchases help foster smooth market functioning and accommodative financial conditions, thereby supporting the flow of credit to households and businesses.
  • In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook.
  • The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals. The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on public health, labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.”
 
 Voting Results
No dissenting votes

 Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Thomas I. Barkin; Raphael W. Bostic; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; Richard H. Clarida; Mary C. Daly; Charles L. Evans; Randal K. Quarles; and Christopher J. Waller.  

 
Next Meeting:  March 16-17, 2021

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The preceding information contains excerpts from an official published statement on the Federal Open Market Committee’s January, 2021 meeting.  For full text, please visit the Federal Reserve website.