Two Federal Reserve officials said they believe it's appropriate for the U.S. central bank to begin lowering interest rates soon, and that the pace of subsequent cutting should be "gradual" and "methodical."

Industry economists are now confident about predictions for mortgage rate movements through the end of next year; the question is if that translates to increased home sales.

Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman said she has concerns about an uptick in inflation and will need to see more positive data before supporting an interest rate cut.

Borrowing costs have fallen to their lowest level in more than a year as inflation metrics drop to 2021 levels, seemingly vindicating the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain their restrictive monetary policy.

Over the weekend Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said setting interest rates should be a "political decision" with input from elected officials.

Nine federal regulatory agencies are requesting comment on a rule that would create data standards for supervisory information collected and submitted to financial regulators.

As Treasuries advance for a third-straight month, investors are fully pricing in at least two quarter-point rate reductions this year, slightly more than what policymakers have telegraphed.

During his second day of congressional testimony this week, the Federal Reserve chair said the central bank does not have supremacy over other agencies on their joint rulemaking.

The Federal Reserve chair said there is a consensus within the central bank's board of governors for reproposing its capital rules, but notes that other agencies have not yet signed off on this approach.

Test your knowledge of the biggest mortgage headlines, from corporate name changes to Fed Chair quotes. No. 2 pencil not required!

The central bank also noted that the banking system is sound but faces several challenges. The report precedes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming appearances on Capitol Hill.

Warren chided the Federal Reserve chairman for having multiple private meetings and talks with top executives — including 19 with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell brushed away concerns that a second Trump presidency could imperil the central bank's independence.

It comes as investors begin to reshuffle their portfolios at the mid-year mark, while traders earlier this week embraced bets on 3 percentage points of cuts over the next nine months.

Cook expects three- and six-month inflation rates to continue to move lower on a "bumpy path," with monthly data similar to the "favorable" readings seen in the second half of 2023 for the rest of the year.

Potentially limiting the Federal Reserve's ability to cut rates is the growing view that the economy's so-called neutral rate — a theoretical level of borrowing costs that neither stimulates nor slows growth — is much higher than policymakers are currently projecting. 

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin said he needs further clarity on the path of inflation before lowering interest rates

The Federal Reserve held firm on its current interest rate levels after its latest meeting, but inflation numbers are leading to talk of potential action in third and fourth quarters.

Forty-four percent of respondents said they expect Trump to seek to to politicize the central bank or limit its power if he returns to the White House. Overall, they put a probability of 40% on the Fed losing its autonomy under a second Trump administration. 

Beth Hammack, who stepped down as the bank's co-head of global finance earlier this year, will take the helm as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland later this summer following the retirement of longtime President Loretta Mester.