Yellen downplays recession fears, expects US economy to grow

Yellen downplays recession fears, expects US economy to grow



US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expects the world’s largest economy will proceed to grow, regardless of heightened recession issues following current turmoil within the banking sector.

The dramatic collapse of Silicon Valley Financial institution (SVB) and Signature Financial institution final month had rattled the business, prompting US authorities together with the Treasury Division and Federal Reserve to step in to stop contagion.

Whereas the state of affairs has calmed, analysts warn that fallout from the current instability may proceed — as banks tighten lending requirements, decreasing out there credit score to households and companies.

However Yellen instructed AFP in an interview on Thursday: “I continue to anticipate that the US economy will grow and the labor market will remain strong, and inflation will come down.”

Her feedback got here after JPMorgan Chase Chief Government Jamie Dimon warned this week that the present disaster isn’t but over and shall be felt for years to come.

Whereas he famous that at the moment’s situations are nothing like throughout the 2008 monetary disaster, he added that it was not clear when the issues would finish.

Requested in regards to the matter, Yellen mentioned she is dedicated to making certain that every one deposits are protected and monitoring banking system situations.

Officers are additionally “prepared to use all of our tools as needed for any size of institutions to keep the system safe and sound,” she mentioned.

After SVB’s collapse, US authorities set out plans to guarantee its prospects would have the ability to entry their deposits. An analogous exception was introduced for Signature Financial institution.

The Fed and different main central banks later launched a coordinated effort to enhance lenders’ entry to liquidity.

“Our banking system is sound and it’s resilient,” Yellen mentioned, including that it has sturdy capital and liquidity as nicely.

“The actions that we have taken are intended to reinforce that and to ensure broad public confidence,” she instructed AFP.