The Federal Reserve's balance sheet has undergone significant changes since 2007, reflecting its response to major economic crises. From a modest *** trillion U.S. dollars at the end of 2007, it ballooned to approximately **** trillion U.S. dollars by June 2025. This dramatic expansion, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic - both of which resulted in negative annual GDP growth in the U.S. - showcases the Fed's crucial role in stabilizing the economy through expansionary monetary policies. Impact on inflation and interest rates The Fed's expansionary measures, while aimed at stimulating economic growth, have had notable effects on inflation and interest rates. Following the quantitative easing in 2020, inflation in the United States reached ***** percent in 2022, the highest since 1991. However, by *************, inflation had declined to *** percent. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of interest rate hikes, with the rate peaking at **** percent in ***********, before the first rate cut since ************** occurred in **************. Financial implications for the Federal Reserve The expansion of the Fed's balance sheet and subsequent interest rate hikes have had significant financial implications. In 2023, the Fed reported a negative net income of ***** billion U.S. dollars, a stark contrast to the ***** billion U.S. dollars profit in 2022. This unprecedented shift was primarily due to rapidly rising interest rates, which caused the Fed's interest expenses to soar to over *** billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Despite this, the Fed's net interest income on securities acquired through open market operations reached a record high of ****** billion U.S. dollars in the same year.

The U.S. federal funds effective rate underwent a dramatic reduction in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate plummeted from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.65 percent in March, and further decreased to 0.05 percent in April. This sharp reduction, accompanied by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program, was implemented to stabilize the economy during the global health crisis. After maintaining historically low rates for nearly two years, the Federal Reserve began a series of rate hikes in early 2022, with the rate moving from 0.33 percent in April 2022 to 5.33 percent in August 2023. The rate remained unchanged for over a year, before the Federal Reserve initiated its first rate cut in nearly three years in September 2024, bringing the rate to 5.13 percent. By December 2024, the rate was cut to 4.48 percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy in the second half of 2024. In January 2025, the Federal Reserve implemented another cut, setting the rate at 4.33 percent, which remained unchanged throughout the following months. What is the federal funds effective rate? The U.S. federal funds effective rate determines the interest rate paid by depository institutions, such as banks and credit unions, that lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight. Changing the effective rate in times of crisis is a common way to stimulate the economy, as it has a significant impact on the whole economy, such as economic growth, employment, and inflation. Central bank policy rates The adjustment of interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a coordinated global effort. In early 2020, central banks worldwide implemented aggressive monetary easing policies to combat the economic crisis. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dramatic reduction of its federal funds rate - from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.05 percent by April - mirrored similar actions taken by central banks globally. While these low rates remained in place throughout 2021, mounting inflationary pressures led to a synchronized tightening cycle beginning in 2022, with central banks pushing rates to multi-year highs. By mid-2024, as inflation moderated across major economies, central banks began implementing their first rate cuts in several years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank all easing monetary policy.

Graph and download economic data for FOMC Summary of Economic Projections for the Fed Funds Rate, Range, Midpoint (FEDTARRM) from 2025 to 2027 about projection, federal, rate, and USA.

The U.S. federal funds rate peaked in 2023 at its highest level since the 2007-08 financial crisis, reaching 5.33 percent by December 2023. A significant shift in monetary policy occurred in the second half of 2024, with the Federal Reserve implementing regular rate cuts. By December 2024, the rate had declined to 4.48 percent. What is a central bank rate? The federal funds rate determines the cost of overnight borrowing between banks, allowing them to maintain necessary cash reserves and ensure financial system liquidity. When this rate rises, banks become more inclined to hold rather than lend money, reducing the money supply. While this decreased lending slows economic activity, it helps control inflation by limiting the circulation of money in the economy. Historic perspective The federal funds rate historically follows cyclical patterns, falling during recessions and gradually rising during economic recoveries. Some central banks, notably the European Central Bank, went beyond traditional monetary policy by implementing both aggressive asset purchases and negative interest rates.

View the total value of the assets of all Federal Reserve Banks as reported in the weekly balance sheet.

The benchmark interest rate in the United States was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Fed Funds Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Dataset Description

This dataset contains the actual and predicted federal funds target rate for the United States from 1990 to 2023. The federal funds target rate is the interest rate at which depository institutions lend their excess reserves to each other overnight. It is set by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and is a key tool used by the Federal Reserve to influence the economy.

The dataset includes the following five columns:

Release Date: The date on which the data was released by the Federal Reserve. Time: The time of day at which the data was released. Actual: The actual federal funds target rate. Predicted: The predicted federal funds target rate. Forecast: The forecast federal funds target rate.

Data Usage

This dataset can be used for a variety of purposes, including: - Analyzing trends in the federal funds target rate over time. - Forecasting the future path of the federal funds target rate. - Assessing the effectiveness of monetary policy. - Data Quality

The data for this dataset is of high quality. The Federal Reserve is a reputable source of data and the data is updated regularly.

Data Limitations

The data for this dataset is limited to the United States. Additionally, the data does not include information on the factors that influenced the Federal Open Market Committee's decision to set the federal funds target rate.

The inflation rate in the United States declined significantly between June 2022 and May 2025, despite rising inflationary pressures towards the end of 2024. The peak inflation rate was recorded in June 2022, at *** percent. In August 2023, the Federal Reserve's interest rate hit its highest level during the observed period, at **** percent, and remained unchanged until September 2024, when the Federal Reserve implemented its first rate cut since September 2021. By January 2025, the rate dropped to **** percent, signalling a shift in monetary policy. What is the Federal Reserve interest rate? The Federal Reserve interest rate, or the federal funds rate, is the rate at which banks and credit unions lend to and borrow from each other. It is one of the Federal Reserve's key tools for maintaining strong employment rates, stable prices, and reasonable interest rates. The rate is determined by the Federal Reserve and adjusted eight times a year, though it can be changed through emergency meetings during times of crisis. The Fed doesn't directly control the interest rate but sets a target rate. It then uses open market operations to influence rates toward this target. Ways of measuring inflation Inflation is typically measured using several methods, with the most common being the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI tracks the price of a fixed basket of goods and services over time, providing a measure of the price changes consumers face. At the end of 2023, the CPI in the United States was ****** percent, up from ****** a year earlier. A more business-focused measure is the producer price index (PPI), which represents the costs of firms.

Graph and download economic data for Equity Market Volatility Tracker: Macroeconomic News and Outlook: Interest Rates (EMVMACROINTEREST) from Jan 1985 to Jun 2025 about volatility, uncertainty, equity, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

This dataset contains the textual data of Federal Reserve Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting statements and minutes. Its purpose is to provide a historical archive of communications from the US central bank, offering valuable context and insights into monetary policy decisions and economic outlooks over time. The dataset is regularly updated, ensuring access to the latest official communications.

Columns

• Date: This column specifies the date of the actual FOMC meeting.
• Release Date: This indicates when the statement or minutes were officially released to the public. It is important to note that minutes are typically released with approximately a three-week lag from the meeting date.
• Type: This column categorises the communication, distinguishing between a formal 'statement' and the more detailed 'minutes' of the meeting.
• Text: This contains the full textual content of each communication release, whether it is a statement or minutes.

Distribution

The dataset is typically provided in a CSV (Comma Separated Values) format. It includes communications from 2 February 2000 to 18 June 2025. The file is updated on a weekly basis with new data sourced directly from the Federal Reserve website. Based on available information, there are approximately 420 records within the specified date range. The dataset comprises roughly 52% minutes and 48% statements.

Usage

This dataset is ideal for various applications and use cases, particularly within finance, banking, and economics. It can be used for: * Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks, such as sentiment analysis or topic modelling on central bank communications. * Economic research to analyse policy shifts, communication strategies, and their impact on financial markets. * Financial modelling and forecasting, by integrating insights from official monetary policy communications. * Academic studies on central banking, macroeconomic policy, and financial history.

Coverage

The dataset covers the period from 2 February 2000 to 18 June 2025, providing an extensive historical record of FOMC communications. While the content focuses on US monetary policy, which is inherently US-centric, the dataset's availability is global, making it accessible to users worldwide. There are no specific notes on data availability for certain demographic groups or years, as the data represents official public releases.

License

CC0

Who Can Use It

This dataset is designed for a wide range of users, including: * Financial analysts and economists seeking to understand and forecast monetary policy decisions. * Data scientists and machine learning engineers developing NLP models for financial text. * Academic researchers in economics, finance, and political science studying central bank behaviour and communication. * Government policy advisors interested in historical policy decisions and their effects. * Journalists and media professionals reporting on economic and financial news.

Dataset Name Suggestions

• Federal Reserve FOMC Communications Archive
• US Monetary Policy Statements and Minutes
• Central Bank Economic Communications
• FOMC Historical Document Collection

Attributes

Original Data Source: FOMC Meeting Statements & Minutes

Policy interest rates in the U.S. and Europe are forecasted to decrease gradually between 2024 and 2027, following exceptional increases triggered by soaring inflation between 2021 and 2023. The U.S. federal funds rate stood at **** percent at the end of 2023, the European Central Bank deposit rate at **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate at **** percent. With inflationary pressures stabilizing, policy interest rates are forecast to decrease in each observed region. The U.S. federal funds rate is expected to decrease to *** percent, the ECB refi rate to **** percent, the Bank of England bank rate to **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate to **** percent by 2025. An interesting aspect to note is the impact of these interest rate changes on various economic factors such as growth, employment, and inflation. The impact of central bank policy rates The U.S. federal funds effective rate, crucial in determining the interest rate paid by depository institutions, experienced drastic changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent slight changes in the effective rate reflected the efforts to stimulate the economy and manage economic factors such as inflation. Such fluctuations in the federal funds rate have had a significant impact on the overall economy. The European Central Bank's decision to cut its fixed interest rate in June 2024 for the first time since 2016 marked a significant shift in attitude towards economic conditions. The reasons behind the fluctuations in the ECB's interest rate reflect its mandate to ensure price stability and manage inflation, shedding light on the complex interplay between interest rates and economic factors. Inflation and real interest rates The relationship between inflation and interest rates is critical in understanding the actions of central banks. Central banks' efforts to manage inflation through interest rate adjustments reveal the intricate balance between economic growth and inflation. Additionally, the concept of real interest rates, adjusted for inflation, provides valuable insights into the impact of inflation on the economy.

We use the yield curve to predict future GDP growth and recession probabilities. The spread between short- and long-term rates typically correlates with economic growth. Predications are calculated using a model developed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Released monthly.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates, Discount Rate for United States (INTDSRUSM193N) from Jan 1950 to Aug 2021 about discount, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

From 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to 2.25 percent by February 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of December 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.59 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.27 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

This dataset was used for an analysis of the transmission of US monetary policy and demand shocks on the Japan’s economy. All of this data was collected from the Federal Reserve’s FRED database and is publicly available.

MATLAB files that supplement Staff Report 595.

The Federal Reserve's balance sheet ballooned following its announcement to carry out quantitative easing to increase the liquidity of U.S. banks in early 2020. The balance sheet continued to grow in the following period as well, with a downward trend in 2023. As of February 29, 2024, the Fed's balance sheet amounted to roughly 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars. The most drastic increase in the observed period took place in the first half of 2020. This measure was taken to increase the money supply and stimulate economic growth in the wake of the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve was not the only institution that implemented an expansionary monetary policy in response to the pandemic. For instance, the European Central Bank expanded its money supply in March 2020 and kept doing so over the following months. How do central banks increase the amount of money in circulation? Central banks can increase the money circulating in the economy in many ways. For instance, they can decrease banks’ reserve requirements to stimulate lending or decrease the interest rates to reduce the cost of borrowing for commercial banks. Alternatively, central banks can engage in open market operations (OMO) and buy securities such as government bonds from commercial banks or institutions. By conducting open market operations, the Federal Reserve expanded its balance sheet by seven trillion U.S. dollars between 2007 and 2023. All these measures aim to increase bank loans to entrepreneurs and consumers in order to stimulate employment and economic growth. Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. economy The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on national economies worldwide, and the United States was no exception. During the early months of the crisis, many lost their jobs, mostly those in lower-income categories. As a consequence, many Americans found it difficult to pay their rent and cover basic household expenses. Furthermore, in April 2022, most small business owners claimed that the pandemic had a large or moderate negative effect on their businesses. Overall, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States decreased by roughly 2.2 percent in 2020. In the following years, however, it increased notably, surpassing 25 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022.

United States Leading Index: US data was reported at 1.718 % in Feb 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.573 % for Jan 2020. United States Leading Index: US data is updated monthly, averaging 1.536 % from Jan 1982 (Median) to Feb 2020, with 458 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.355 % in Nov 1983 and a record low of -2.654 % in Mar 2009. United States Leading Index: US data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S012: State Leading Index. The data predicts the six-month growth rate of the state’s coincident index. In addition to the coincident index, the models include other variables that lead the economy such as the state-level housing permits (1 to 4 units), initial unemployment insurance claims, delivery times from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing survey, and the interest rate spread between the 10-year Treasury bond and the 3-month Treasury bill. Given the sudden, extreme impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on initial unemployment claims in recent weeks, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia researchers’ standard approach for estimating the six-month change in coincident indexes is not appropriate. Therefore, they suspended the release of the state leading indexes indefinitely.

United States Kansas Fed Diffusion Index: 6 Mths: Prices Paid for Raw Materials data was reported at 5.000 % Point in Apr 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of -5.000 % Point for Mar 2020. United States Kansas Fed Diffusion Index: 6 Mths: Prices Paid for Raw Materials data is updated monthly, averaging 45.000 % Point from Jul 2001 (Median) to Apr 2020, with 226 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85.000 % Point in May 2008 and a record low of -16.000 % Point in Jan 2009. United States Kansas Fed Diffusion Index: 6 Mths: Prices Paid for Raw Materials data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S015: Tenth District Manufacturing Survey. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

United States BAI: Richmond Fed: Svcs: Services Expenditures data was reported at -44.000 % Point in Apr 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.000 % Point for Mar 2020. United States BAI: Richmond Fed: Svcs: Services Expenditures data is updated monthly, averaging 8.000 % Point from Dec 2010 (Median) to Apr 2020, with 113 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.000 % Point in Jun 2017 and a record low of -44.000 % Point in Apr 2020. United States BAI: Richmond Fed: Svcs: Services Expenditures data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S014: Fifth District Survey of Service Sector Activity. [COVID-19-IMPACT]