Interest Rates

Regional Federal Reserve leader Raphael Bostic is prepared to cast his vote to lower interest rates late this year if he is convinced inflation has been beaten — and he’s not yet.

Florida lawmakers are close to revising rules for consumer finance loans up to $25,000. The changes would allow payday lenders to charge borrowers interest rates up to 36 percent.

Experts are crediting cooling inflation and the anticipation of federal interest rate cuts for the boost in consumer attitudes.

Home purchases by investors recently declined in the top 10 U.S. cities by market share — including Tampa. Even so, data shows investors still hold almost 25% of the market share, or the total sales made in the market.

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to near zero — a dramatic move not seen since the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. The Bank of England and Bank of Japan made similar moves.

The quarter-point cut signals growing concern at the Federal Reserve about a slowdown in the economy amid the trade war with China. The Fed last cut rates in 2008 and raised them as late as December.

Bullish stocks, low unemployment, high confidence — from most angles, the economy is strong. But questions linger as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the third time in 2018.