The Fed Launches Real-Time Payments System: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
You can instantly transfer and access money 24 hours a day with FedNow.
Many consumers use online banking to pay bills or send money, but there's often a delay in accessing the funds. A new service from the Federal Reserve aims to fix that issue. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest...
The Federal Reserve is launching a real-time payments system, FedNow, which will allow people and companies to make payments in the U.S. banking system around the clock. While apps and payments companies allow people to send money at any time, most transfers still use a system that runs only during business hours. Some transactions may take days to settle.
FedNow will make bill payments, paychecks and other common consumer and business transfers available instantly. But it will likely take years for FedNow to take off. The system will launch in late July, but the case of private real-time payments network RTP, which struggled to gain traction with smaller banks and credit unions, shows how slow change can be in the payments industry. The Fed says 57 firms will be ready for FedNow at launch.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
FedNow will compete for retail payments with Visa and Mastercard, the current juggernauts in person-to-business payments. To succeed, the new system will need to win widespread consumer and business adoption. One big advantage it’ll offer is much lower transaction costs. But other features, like ease of use, global acceptance, dispute resolution and enhanced security, are going to be key.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rodrigo Sermeño covers the financial services, housing, small business, and cryptocurrency industries for The Kiplinger Letter. Before joining Kiplinger in 2014, he worked for several think tanks and non-profit organizations in Washington, D.C., including the New America Foundation, the Streit Council, and the Arca Foundation. Rodrigo graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor's degree in international affairs. He also holds a master's in public policy from George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.
-
Maryland Property Tax Assessment: What It Means for You
State Tax Amid a growing deficit, Maryland property values are rising. Here’s more of what to know.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
Should You Use Add-On CDs?
Add-on CDs can be opened with as little as $100, offer a fixed interest rate and allow you to make deposits throughout the term. But what are the trade-offs?
By Ella Vincent Published
-
10 Predictions for 2025 from The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter As 2025 arrives, here are our top 10 forecasts for the new year.
By Letter Editors Published
-
Fed Sees Fewer Rate Cuts in 2025: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve cut interest rates as expected, but the future path of borrowing costs became more opaque.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Europe Faces Economic and Political Headwinds Next Year
The Letter Challenges for Europe: Potential tariffs, high energy prices and more competition from China will weigh on the bloc in 2025.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Universal Savings Accounts Are Like Roth IRAs, But With a Twist
The Tax Letter Republican lawmakers and conservative think tanks are proposing a new type of tax-advantaged savings account. Think Roth IRAs, but not just for retirement.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
CPI Report Casts Doubt on Rate Cuts in 2025: What the Experts Are Saying About Inflation
CPI November Consumer Price Index data sealed the deal for a December rate cut, but the outlook for next year is less certain.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Rebound in Jobs Growth Keeps Fed on Track: What the Experts Are Saying
Jobs Report No nasty surprises in the November payrolls data leaves a quarter-point cut in play.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Don't Sleep on Japan's Economic Transformation
The Letter After almost three lost decades, Japan — one of the world's biggest economies — is finally showing signs of life.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
October CPI Report Hits the Mark: What the Experts Are Saying About Inflation
CPI While the current pace of rising prices appears to have leveled off, the expected path of rate cuts has become less certain.
By Dan Burrows Published