Rising Rates May Trigger Financial Instability, Complicating Fight Against Inflation

February 13, 2025-Banking systems are largely insulated from inflation, but vulnerabilities at some banks could lead to tradeoffs between containing inflation and protecting financial stability
Before the pandemic, investors worried about how persistently low inflation and interest rates would crimp bank profits. Paradoxically, they also worried about bank profitability when post-COVID reopening sent inflation and central bank interest rates soaring.

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank and other US lenders in early 2023 appeared to validate these fears.

Our new research on the relationship between inflation and bank profitability helps us make sense of these concerns. Most banks are largely insulated from shifts in inflation-the exposure of income and expenses tend to offset each other. Yet some have significant inflation exposures, which may lead to financial instability if concentrated losses lead to wider panics in the banking sector.

As several major central banks are reassessing their monetary policy frameworks in the aftermath of the post-pandemic inflation surge, a deeper understanding of the links between inflation and bank profitability can help design better monetary policy frameworks.

Infographic-G20 Inflation Tracker: July

September 4, 2025--Key Highlights:
Argentina and Turkey remain outliers, with inflation at 36.6% and 33.5%-the highest in the G20 despite some cooling.
The United States held steady at 2.7%, lower than expected even amid tariff pressures.
The United Kingdom saw inflation climb to 3.8%, running hotter than market forecasts.

How Stablecoins and Other Financial Innovations May Reshape the Global Economy

September 4, 2025--Policymakers will need to achieve a difficult balance between benefits and risks while safeguarding both individual consumers and financial stability
Three years ago, Finance & Development devoted a full issue to anticipating "The Money Revolution," driven by innovations in finance, such as crypto assets. That revolution is now unfolding.

Finance Changed, Risks Didn't

September 4, 2025--New technologies are rewiring liquidity, payments, and economic stability
More than 15 years after the global financial crisis,the banking and financial system looks safer. But it's also evolving in ways that are reshaping who provides liquidity,how money moves,and risks to economic and financial stability. As a result,the next shock may begin not in a bank,but in the new infrastructure underpinning the system.

Ondo Brings Over 100 Tokenized U.S. Stocks and ETFs Onchain, Starting on Ethereum

September 3, 2025--Ondo Global Markets offers 24/7 onchain exposure to U.S. stocks and ETFs
Over 100 U.S. securities are now available, with hundreds more coming
Available to qualifying global (non-U.S.) investors, making Ondo one of the largest gateways to U.S. markets for global investors