They actually did it. The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates by another 25 basis points right in the middle of a major banking crisis. I honestly do not understand what Fed officials are thinking. They had already blown a 620 billion dollar black hole in the balance sheets of U.S. banks by raising rates so aggressively, and that resulted in the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history earlier this month. Apparently they are not yet satisfied with the carnage that they have caused, and so they have decided to make things even worse. What we are witnessing is either extreme incompetence of epic proportions, or they are trying to crash the economy on purpose. I am sitting here trying to think of a third alternative, but so far I am coming up blank.
Fed officials can see exactly what their reckless rate hikes are doing to the system, but they are pressing forward anyway. Wednesday’s rate hike was “the ninth consecutive rate increase”…
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a point, forging ahead with its fight against stubborn inflation despite a spate of bank failures and a growing crisis within the financial sector.
The unanimous decision puts the key benchmark federal funds rate at a range of 4.75% to 5%, the highest since 2007, from near zero just one year ago. It marks the ninth consecutive rate increase aimed at combating high inflation.
The fact that it was a “unanimous decision” should greatly alarm all of us.
Isn’t there a single voice of reason left at the Fed?
The last time the Fed raised rates like this was just before the financial crisis of 2008.
And we all remember what that did to our banking system.
But the Fed insists that this time is different. In fact, we were just told that our banking system “is sound and resilient”…
“The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient,” the Fed said. “Recent developments are likely to result in tighter credit conditions for households and businesses and to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects is uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks.”
Of course banks don’t tighten the flow of credit when things are good.
They tighten the flow of credit when they get into trouble.
And it appears that another major U.S. bank is now exhibiting signs of distress…
Shares of regional bank PacWest Bancorp dropped Wednesday after the company disclosed it had shed more than $6 billion in deposits during the recent squeeze on midsized banks, though PacWest said it did not plan to raise more capital.
The bank said in a press release Wednesday that it had $27.1 billion in deposits as of March 20, which is down from $33.9 billion at the end of December and from $33.2 billion on March 9. The change appears to have largely come from venture banking deposits, which accounted for a third of PacWest’s deposits at the end of December and now stand at just 24%.
There are more than 4,000 banks in the United States today, and hundreds of them could end up failing before this crisis is over.
That would mean fewer mortgages for potential homeowners.
That would also mean fewer auto loans, credit cards and debit cards.
Unfortunately, the flow of credit is the lifeblood of our economy, and so we need our banks to be healthy.
But if the Federal Reserve continues to go down this road, bank after bank will be absolutely crushed.
Needless to say, the Fed’s insane policies are also bursting the housing bubble. At this point, U.S. home prices are down 12.3 percent just since last June…
The national median existing-home price fell 0.2% in February from a year earlier to $363,000, the first year-over-year decline since February 2012, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. Median prices are down 12.3% from their record $413,800 in June.
U.S. homeowners have already lost trillions of dollars of home equity, and now the Fed has just poured more fuel on the fire.
It is madness.
It is literally insane for the Federal Reserve to aggressively hike rates as we are plunging into a major economic downturn, but that is precisely what they are doing.
Look, if the long-term economic outlook was positive do you think that Walmart would be closing even more stores?…
Walmart has announced plans to close stores in Hawaii and Minnesota, which join a handful of other stores closing in several states this year.
The retail giant said the decision was made after a review process that determined the impacted stores failed to meet financial expectations, the company told USA TODAY.
Ten stores in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin will close by the end of the year, along with two experimental “pickup” locations in Illinois and Arkansas.
Walmart exists to make money.
If there was a chance that those stores could be turned around, Walmart would not be permanently shutting them down.
Sadly, other major retailers are also closing locations all over the nation.
They can see what is coming.
Higher interest rates are already crushing economic activity from coast to coast, and they are battening down the hatches.
The “experts” at the Fed are assuring all of us that they know exactly what they are doing, but the truth is that they have lost control.
As you read this article, wealthy individuals and large companies are pulling uninsured money out of small and mid-size banks all over America.
Many of those small and mid-size banks will soon be in very serious jeopardy, and that will significantly reduce the flow of credit into our economy.
Is this what they want?
Do they really want to see the U.S. economy implode?
Our leaders continue to make mind-numbingly bad decisions, and we are on a course that leads to national suicide.
When will the American people finally wake up?
Sadly, most Americans are still blindly trusting the “experts”, and the “experts” have us on a highway to extreme misery.
***It is finally here! Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***
About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com. In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned) When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends. Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.
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Article cross-posted from The Economic Collapse Blog.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
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Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
When is COMMON SENSE going to rear its beautiful head? Of course they are trying to CRASH the economy. The ignorance of the ‘Great Reset’ demands it. Why we the people sit around and watch and wait for these tyrannical Billionaires and Bureaucrats is beyond comprehension.
Arrest all the subversive idiots now. We can straighten it out after the dust settles.
Yes they are Wake up people
You’re saying this like it’s a bad thing.
Arrogance is the name of the game. If they had left rates alone or god forbid lowered them by .25 would have been tantamount to admitting their policies gave failed and caused the banking crisis and they will never admit that.
Is the Pope Catholic?
Wait? What?
Never mind.
Since the government has no more money, the Treasury is just printing up worthless paper and mixing it in with the money in your pocket which is decreases its value. The vast majority of price increases are actually an adjustment to make up for the reduction in value of money (inflation). Since money is such high demand to pay for Congress’s trillion dollar give aways, the Fed is raising rates to respond to the increased demand for money. Current bank failures are due to banks run by incompetent executives who have made bad loan decisions which become problematic when interest rates rise. If large banks get in trouble, Dodd Frank will allow them to seize customer deposits to bail themselves out (bail in). The rich get richer, and the peasants will become more numerous as the middle is squeezed out.
Of course they’re trying to crash our country, AND they’re trying to kill every American alive with their poisonous vaccines. I’m sure there’s a trip that will kill you, but not enough people took it so they’re holding off. Interesting, I saw the video from a club who put in their own 5g cell spot. When they turned it on? 100 people dropped dead. I’ll bet you didn’t see that on the MSM. But so what, they’re dropping like flies as well.
We are at the end of an economic system. If you have been paying attention since 2008 (when the system really died) They have inexplicably left rates near zero when the booming economy could have afforded some increases so yes, the Fed doesn’t know what they are doing in terms of helping you and me. Regarding the pressure it puts on small and medium size banks, THAT IS THEIR PLAN! Wake up. Wal Mart and Target and Home Depot (Huge multinationals) all thrived during the plandemic and forced out small business owners into bankruptcy. Do you not think that doing the same thing to the smaller banks in the banking system is not their goal? They hate us and want total control because after the little guys are out of business – Ta Da – The Fed to the rescue with a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to destroy every aspect of your free will and freedom to choose (AKA world wide communism controlled by them). They will decide for you, piss ant. Avoid CBDC at all costs. This is the hill to die on. No to CBDC.
Folks, the FED’s stated goal is to cause a recession. It’s not some clandestine plot behind closed doors. See, a recession is deemed the best way to stop inflation, unless, that is, of course, the US Treasury continues to issue trillions more in debt, and the FED also keeps pumping trillions into failing banks. That would (and probably will) result in “stagflation,” but that’s a whole other disaster that may or may not occur. Assuming, though, that high interest rates succeed in “crashing the economy,” then inflation should disappear forthwith. And why is high inflation worse than a recession? Because a recession is like a slow leak in your tire. It sucks, but you can pop on the donut and look all ghetto for a while till you have time to fix it. Rising inflation, though, if unchecked, tends to cascade into hyperinflation. This would be more like your tire being attached to a Tesla, and it exploded when the Tesla burst into flames because it was sloppily manufactured (probably by slaves in Elon’s favorite country, China), which was inevitable after losing billions in US subsidies. Yeah, hyperinflation is just like that: like stupid, treehugging carbon-crediting electric cars: it’s a society killer. So the FED is doing its job–stopgapping rising inflation to protect the USA from becoming another Venezuela. One can argue, and I would agree, that we don’t need centralized economy manipulators. But before the FED (and a lot of other financial regulation), America was run wholly by robber barons, and the money supply was in the hands of fewer people. There needs to be a happy medium, yes, but America hasn’t figured out what that is. For now, it’s the FED, and our economy can’t just go cold turkey.
Everything DemonRats touch turns into instant crap. They are all a bunch of evil, nitwits. Look at Raskin. Look at this Yellen woman. Look at Powell, Garland, Harris, Buttplug, Granholm, Biden. Dr.Jill. Good Grief, what a bunch of unmitigated @$$clowns. They will go down in history as the most horrible thing that has ever happened to America. I hope they are all cast into the Lake of Eternal Fire and damnation for what they have done to our once great nation.
What was your first clue –
The supply chain breakdown?
The destruction of over 100 food processing and distribution plants?
Food shortages?
Double-digit inflation?
Firing millions of unvaccinated people?
Skyrocketing gasoline and utility prices?
150 billion to a Ukrainian psycho con artist?
Constantly printing money?
Tax hikes?