Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman revealed a shift in her stance on monetary policy during remarks made to the South Carolina Bankers Association. Bowman, known for her hawkish approach, now recognizes the possibility of continued inflation containment without the need for further interest-rate hikes.
Bowman acknowledged that if inflation continues to decline, it may become appropriate to consider rate cuts to prevent policy from overly suppressing economic growth. However, she emphasized that the current conditions have not yet reached that point. According to Bowman, there are still important factors that pose upside inflation risks in the economic outlook.
Interestingly, this comes after Bowman had previously expressed her expectations for another rate hike during speeches given between summer and late November. The Federal Reserve had also forecasted a rate hike before the end of the previous year but ultimately decided against it, maintaining rates at the 5.25%-5.5% level in December.
As the landscape continues to evolve, Bowman’s acknowledgment of the potential for inflation containment without further rate hikes highlights the nuanced nature of monetary policy decisions and the importance of closely monitoring economic conditions.