Fed's Bowman backs three rate cuts in 2026 to support labor market
Investing.com -- Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said Friday she supports three interest-rate cuts in 2026 and expects strong economic growth this year while monitoring the impact of the war in Iran.
"Of course, I've written three cuts in before the end of 2026 to hopefully support the labor market," Bowman said Friday in an interview on Fox Business. "It's too soon to tell what the impacts of Iran and the conflict may be, but I do expect that we'll start to see some of the supply-side policies working their way through the economy."
Bowman's position marks a notably more dovish stance compared to her colleagues at the central bank. At this week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting, officials maintained their current federal funds target rate range at 3.5% to 3.75% amid uncertainty created by the Iran war. Officials penciled in a single cut this year and one more next year.
"I'm still concerned about...the job market," Bowman said in the interview.
Regarding the war's implications, Bowman elaborated that it is too early to determine the longer-term impact on U.S. economic activity and how the central bank should factor that into economic forecasts and rate decisions at FOMC meetings.
Bowman also praised plans unveiled this week that would relax capital requirements for Wall Street lending giants, a move that could potentially free up billions of dollars for lending, share buybacks and dividends.
When asked about potential threats to the financial system, Bowman highlighted cyber risks as a concern that could materialize sooner than issues in private credit or leveraged lending.
