10 July 2023
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reassured lawmakers about avoiding a repeat of the 2019 repo market disruption. However, economists caution that quantitative tightening (QT) remains complex and unpredictable. The full impact of the Fed’s current QT program is yet to be felt. Powell acknowledged past problems and emphasized the Fed’s experience. The Fed is currently reducing bond holdings at a faster pace but from a larger base. So far, things have been smooth, with ample reserves. Analysts estimate $2.5 trillion is needed for banking system stability, but with low confidence.