In another act of desperation, the federal government will attempt to slow the slide in the stock market and revitalize the seriously malfunctioning credit markets by doing something it hasn't done since the depression; it will make direct loans to non-financial corporations.
The Fed will resurrect powers which haven't been used since the Great Depression which allow it to loan money to anyone "under unusual and exigent circumstances." This plan could put taxpayers on the hook for even more losses.
In the face of inflation that threatens the economy, the Fed may use another weapon in its arsenal which would be an interest rate cut. Interest rates, which are 2% could be cut even further. The last time rates were lower than they are now was during the 2001 recession. Ironically, low interest rates contributed to the housing bubble and our current economic crisis.
In light of the fact that the $700 Billion bailout of Wall Street has been ineffective in slowing the downward spiral of the stock markets, I would not be surprised to see interest rates lowered to 1% as early as Wednesday. What do you think?
Fed Will Lend Directly to Corporations - WSJ.com