The FOMC may be close to finalizing its
balance sheet normalization plans, but may not have finished just yet, leaving the Fed continuing to communicate the end of the roll-off will come later this year, with "ample" balances (including a buffer).
"With the Fed ending the
balance sheet normalization process, they are removing the spotlight on the balance sheet.
"Having said that," Hooper said, "the Fed should be more flexible regarding
balance sheet normalization, given how powerful a tool it is."
Some economists are now predicting it will have to stop shedding bonds in one to two years and, when it's done its post-crisis "
balance sheet normalization," end up with a roughly $3.5-trillion portfolio.
However, since the fall of 2017 the Fed has been in a "
balance sheet normalization period," during which the size of its balance sheet is gradually shrinking over time.
It would require coordination between the Fed and Treasury, but the Fed could adjust the ongoing
balance sheet normalization by rolling some of the MBS proceeds into bills."
This was despite the boost to the greenback after US Federal Reserve officials signaled to begin
balance sheet normalization and maintained forecasts to raise interest rates again this year.
"In October, the Committee will initiate the
balance sheet normalization program," which it instituted following the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed announced.
Washington, DC, July 24, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Federal Reserve Bank Chair Janet Yellen testified that the Fed will likely continue its plans to implement federal funds rate hikes and
balance sheet normalization measures in order to gradually raise short and long-term interest rates.
"The committee currently expects to begin implementing a
balance sheet normalization program this year, provided that the economy evolves broadly as anticipated," the Fed said in its statement.
It's not clear the FOMC will have finalized its
balance sheet normalization plans just yet, with the Fed continuing to communicate the end of the roll-off will come later this year, with "ample" balances (including a buffer).
