Fed Walks Off the Plank

March 15, 2020 (EIRNS)—The Federal Reserve System, on Sunday afternoon took the plunge into hyperinflationary hysteria, dropping the interest rate to zero and launching $700 billion in QE in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities—with more to come. In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed has slashed the rate of emergency lending at the discount window for banks by 125 basis points to 0.25%, and lengthened the term of loans to 90 days.

But there is more. According to CNBC:

“The Fed also cut reserve requirements for thousands of banks to zero. In addition, in a global coordinated move by central banks, the Fed said the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank took action to enhance dollar liquidity around the world through existing dollar swap arrangements. The banks lowered the rate on these swap line loans and extended the period for such loans.”

It would appear that the “plunge protection committee,” which was likely meeting in emergency session all weekend, came up with nothing to stop the plunge. Rather than taking the only steps that would solve the problem—Glass-Steagall and the full LaRouche Four Laws approach—Powell decided to unleash helicopter money. CNBC again: “The Fed added in its statement that it is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals.”

The QE will begin with $40 billion Monday morning, and overall will buy $500 billion of Treasuries and $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities.