Money market

Washington, Sept. 17, 2025 – The US Federal Reserve is poised to make its first interest rate cut of 2025 on Wednesday, but it battles competing forces in the path forward — with heightened political pressure and likely divisions among its ranks. There is little doubt that the US central bank will lower rates at the end of its two-day policy meeting, and markets widely expect a 25 basis points reduction spurred by a weakening employment market. Less certain, however, are the pace and size of further cuts to come. For …

London, Sept. 17, 2025 – British inflation was unchanged in August, official data showed Wednesday, fuelling expectations that the Bank of England will not cut interest rates again at its meeting this week. The Consumer Prices Index stood at 3.8 percent last month, the same level as in July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. The figure was in line with analysts’ forecasts. The BoE trimmed borrowing costs in August to four percent, its lowest level in 2.5 years, but is widely expected to maintain its …

Singapore, Sept 17, 2025 – Oil prices eased slightly on Wednesday, after rising more than 1% in the previous session, though ongoing geopolitical jitters provided a floor for the market while traders also awaited an expected interest rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve. Brent crude futures dipped 8 cents, or 0.1%, to $68.39 a barrel by 0630 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 6 cents, or 0.1%, to $64.46 a barrel. The benchmarks settled more than 1% higher in the last trading session due to concerns …

Lagos, Sept. 17, 2025 – The Nigerian currency, Naira, appreciated against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market (AFEM) on Tuesday, closing at N1,485.05 to the dollar. The naira exchange rate in the market on Monday was N1,495 to the dollar. The currency has been appreciating in the official market in the last five trading days, during which it appreciated to N1, 495 on Monday. The appreciation of the currency has been attributed to Nigeria’s rising external reserve which stands at about $42 billion and constant intervention of the …

Washington, Sept. 15, 2025 – The Federal Reserve is widely expected this week to make its first interest rate cut of 2025, but the bigger question for investors is how many more cuts could be on the way as the central bank contends with a weak job market, sticky inflation, and mounting White House pressure. One clue will come in the form of the Fed’s “dot plot”, a chart updated quarterly that shows each official’s prediction about the direction of the central bank’s benchmark interest rate. The last dot plot, …

Lagos, Sept. 14, 2025 – Fidelity Bank Plc., the tier-one lender, will host a high-profile panel session titled “Digital Railroads: Powering U.S.–Africa Commerce Through Fintech” at the upcoming Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, USA. The session, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, will explore how fintech is reshaping cross-border trade by enabling seamless payments, improving access to finance, and driving financial inclusion across Africa and the diaspora. The panel will bring together some of the brightest minds in digital finance including: Aisha N. Ahmad, CFA, …

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2025 – The federal government says the new law requiring tax identification number for operating bank accounts does not apply to all Nigerians, but only applicable to taxable adults. The new law, enacted under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), has made it mandatory for Nigerians to have Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) before operating bank accounts. The law will take effect from January 1, 2026. Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, said the law would only be applicable taxable …