Most Fed Banks Voted Against December Discount Rate Change, Signaling Caution

The Fed isn't ready to budge just yet. A majority of Federal Reserve regional banks voted to keep the discount rate steady in December, according to Reuters. This internal resistance suggests that the path to monetary easing might be rockier than global investors had hoped.

Internal Pushback Against Rate Cuts

Meeting minutes revealed that boards of directors at most of the 12 regional Reserve Banks opted for no change to the primary credit rate. While the market has been pricing in a pivot, these regional boards cited persistent inflation concerns and a resilient labor market as reasons to maintain the status quo. Only a minority pushed for a reduction, highlighting a significant divide within the system.

Impact on Global Liquidity

The decision to hold the discount rate—the interest rate charged to commercial banks for loans—serves as a barometer for broader policy. With heavyweights like the New York Fed often leading the sentiment, the lack of a unanimous push for lower rates indicates that 'higher for longer' isn't just a slogan, but a lived policy reality for the upcoming quarters.