Neel Kashkari, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, during an interview in New York on Nov. 7, 2023.
Interest rates running at their highest levels in about 23 years are not hurting the economy and could buy policymakers more time before deciding whether to cut, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said Monday.
In an essay released on the central bank's website, Kashkari said economic developments have shown that Fed policy is not as restrictive on growth as it appears on the surface.
That means the longer-run "neutral" rate, or the level that is neither restrictive nor stimulative, is probably higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Markets have been betting on an aggressive move lower, but recent statements from central bank officials indicate little need to hurry.
Persons:
Neel Kashkari, Kashkari
Organizations:
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Federal
Locations:
New York