Thomas Barkin
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“So that would make the case that we're a little bit accommodative.”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin argued that the elevated level of consumption suggests policy is still somewhat accommodative.
“is the most important risk right now ... and I hope that our move in September and whatever else we might choose to do in the future will have some impact on inflation.”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin identified inflation as the most important risk and expressed hope that Fed rate moves will have an impact on it.
“Unemployment's near record lows, and inflation is too high. That means the path is pretty straightforward. The question, of course, is pace,”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin spoke in a CNBC interview at the Richmond Fed's 2026 CFO Summit about inflation and the path for interest rates.
“So it's more who are the intermediaries in this world who are taking on risks that you don't know about. ... You do wonder where in the intermediary sector is the biggest risk.”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin raised concerns about which intermediaries are taking on risks related to debt issuance to hyperscalers.
“If you're restricting the economy, presumably you're restricting consumption, which is you know roughly two-thirds of the economy, and that's relatively elevated,”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin discussed whether current monetary policy is restrictive or accommodative relative to consumption.
“Gradual makes sense if you think there's uncertainty in the world, and if you think that there's information you're going to get in the period. And I think that's still a pace that makes sense to me,”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin explained why a gradual pace of interest rate hikes makes sense given uncertainty in the world.
“It's pretty hard to convince yourself that some of these big hyperscalers who are generating so much cash from their core businesses aren't good credits,”
Thomas Barkin · said 2026-11-05 · reported 2026-11-05
Barkin said big hyperscalers generating substantial cash from core businesses are likely good credits.