How Trump's Possible Fed Vice Chair Pick Could Trigger A Monetary Policy Battle

President Donald Trump is expected to select Randal Quarles, a former member of George Bush's administration, as the next Federal Reserve vice chairman. If selected and confirmed by the Senate, some worry Quarles and Fed Governors may clash over future interest rate strategies.

The Fed is planning to boost interest rates another two or three times this year depending on the health of the economy. Quarles suggests using a formula to determine future interest rate moves, an approach current officials fear could harm the Fed’s ability to guide monetary policy, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Quarles criticized the Fed for keeping interest rates so low and said a formula to guide interest rates would add certainty to markets and give banks less incentive to make speculative investments.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen has publicly criticized proposed GOP legislation that would force the Fed to strictly follow a monetary-policy rule, potentially interfering with the Fed’s independence by making it easier for the central bank to fall victim to short-term political pressure.

The vice chair position is one of three openings on the Fed board that need to be filled. Should Quarles, the founder of private investment firm Cynosure Group, be appointed his position would give the new administration more room to push its financial deregulation goals.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's National Newsletters
Related Stories

Inside The Nationwide Jockeying For Opportunity Zones 2.0

GTIS Partners Rebrands As Brightshore Capital, Launches $250M Debt Platform

Data Center Spills 5,000 Gallons Of Fuel Into New Jersey River

Hines And Rialto Close Office Credit Fund At $1.1B

Chipotle Adding Hundreds Of New Locations Worldwide

'Beyond A Routine Wobble': 10-Year Treasury Clears 5% Ahead Of Key Fed Meeting

Trump's DEI Crackdown Is Creating New Risks For Landlords That Lease To The Government

Airbnb Launches $250M Fund To Invest In Affordable Housing

Brookfield Buys Minority Stake In Hyperscale Data Center Developer AREP

Judge Dismisses Suit Alleging Alexandria Misled Investors Over Portfolio Strength

How Companies Can Eliminate Shadow AI And Gain Value From Artificial Intelligence Tools

Canadian CRE Investors Shrug Off Trade War, Spend $9B On U.S. Assets