The Brief The Federal Reserve meets eight times a year to decide if the interest rate will change, and kept the rate unchanged at about 3.6% in its January meeting. The Federal Reserve’s first interest rate decision has been made for 2026, after three cuts last year . The short-term interest rate is unchanged at about 3.6% for the time being. Here’s a look at what’s at play for the central bank in 2026:Fed interest rate decisions in 2026Big picture view:The board holds eight meetings each year to decide on interest rate changes, which could result in cuts, hikes or pauses. Jerome Powell replacementFILE - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference following the Federal Open Markets Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve on December 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.