In a recent interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) CEO Brian Moynihan urged the Federal Reserve to consider lowering interest rates to prevent a potential economic downturn.
Highlighting consumer spending trends, Moynihan noted a significant slowdown in growth.
"In our consumer base of 60 million customers spending every week, what you're seeing is they're spending at a rate of growth of this year over last year, for July and August so far, about 3%. That is half the rate it was last year at this time," Moynihan told CBS News on August 11.
He emphasized that while consumers still have money in their accounts, they are "depleting a little bit," suggesting they're tapping into savings to maintain their lifestyles, especially during the summer months.
Addressing the Federal Reserve's approach, Moynihan cautioned against maintaining high rates for too long.
"We've won the war on inflation, it's come down. It's not where people want it yet, but we got to be careful that we don't try to get so perfect that we actually put us in recession," he said to the CBS host.
He advocated for a more accommodating monetary policy, stating, "I think right now, it's time for them to start to take the- become a little more accommodative, and take off the restrictions and let the thing put cool."
He added: "They've told people rates probably aren't going to go up, but if they don't start taking them down relatively soon, you could dispirit the American consumer."
When questioned about political influences on the Federal Reserve, especially in light of former President Donald Trump's recent comments suggesting greater presidential control over the Fed, Moynihan defended the institution's independence.
"I think if you look around the world's economies and you see where Fed central banks are independent and operate freely, they tend to fare better than the ones that don't," he remarked.
Moynihan concluded by acknowledging the myriad of advice the Fed receives, including his own. "I think the strong central bank has to take all that advice and process it," he said, emphasizing the importance of the Fed's autonomy in navigating economic challenges.