Federal Reserve's Powell doesn't talk about monetary policy or economic outlook during welcome speech at community bank conference.

Federal Reserve's Powell doesn't talk about monetary policy or economic outlook during welcome speech at community bank conference.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in his welcome address at the annual conference of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) on September 12, 2025, avoided discussing monetary policy or the economic outlook. Instead, he focused on the importance of community banks in the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve's support for their role . Powell's speech highlighted the significance of community banks in providing access to credit and financial services, particularly to small businesses and underserved communities. He emphasized the Federal Reserve's commitment to fostering a stable and inclusive financial system, which includes supporting the growth and resilience of community banks. Notably, Powell did not address the recent trends in monetary policy or provide any insights into the economic outlook. This is in contrast to his usual practice of discussing the Federal Reserve's economic assessments and monetary policy decisions in public forums. The absence of such topics in his speech at the ICBA conference suggests a strategic focus on community banking and the broader role of the Federal Reserve in supporting the financial ecosystem. The Federal Reserve's chair has been known to emphasize the importance of independence in monetary policy decisions. In a previous speech, Federal Reserve Board member Adriana Kugler defended the political independence of central banks, stating that it is crucial for achieving good economic outcomes . Powell's decision to avoid discussing monetary policy at the ICBA conference could be seen as a continuation of this stance, focusing instead on the supportive role of the Federal Reserve for community banks. Reference: https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/67157951/record-tr4cking-news-tesla-just-unveiled-a-cheaper-model-y-and-model-3 https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/67157951/record-tr4cking-news-tesla-just-unveiled-a-cheaper-model-y-and-model-3