Fed Governor Milan Discusses Balance Sheet Reduction: Preserving Crisis Capacity with Gradual Approach

Stock News
11 hours ago

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Milan stated that the central bank should reduce the size of its balance sheet, but this should not prevent policymakers from employing large-scale asset purchases during economic crises. Milan indicated that shrinking the Fed's balance sheet would decrease its footprint in financial markets while preserving policy options for future emergencies. In a Monday podcast, he remarked, "Expanding the balance sheet is a reasonable measure when interest rates hit the zero lower bound and a financial crisis persists. However, policymakers should plan ahead to maintain sufficient space for such operations." Following President Trump's announcement of his intent to nominate Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May, as Fed Chair, investors and analysts are closely monitoring Fed officials' remarks on the role of the balance sheet. Warsh has long advocated for significant reforms at the Fed, including a substantial reduction of the balance sheet. Warsh resigned from his position as a Fed governor in 2011, shortly after the central bank initiated a second round of bond purchases to support the crisis-stricken U.S. economy. While Milan expressed support for a plan to gradually shrink the balance sheet, he emphasized that the goal cannot be achieved overnight. He noted, "To reach this objective, we still face numerous obstacles in the regulatory process. Reducing the balance sheet will be a lengthy endeavor; we cannot commence the reduction plan tomorrow."

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