As Inflation Bites, Bryan and Financial Analysts Urge Residents to Brace for Economic Challenges

Inflation is a continuing concern for the Virgin Islands, especially for those in lower income brackets. That was a sentiment shared by both Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and representatives of Causey Demgen & Moore, the investment advisor for the Matching Funds Special Purpose Securitization Corporation (MFSPSC). The corporation met on Wednesday to review investments in the capitalized interest fund account, and spent some time discussing the general economic environment, and analyzing trends for the near- and medium-term. Part of that discussion involved the expression of concern over inflationary trends, which are expected to continue into the near future. Governor Bryan wondered whether market conditions would prompt “a real jump in spending,” especially since “bank rates are going to come down for savings” due to a recent cut in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. According to Causey representative Andrew Mathis, the rate cut combined with all-time highs in the stock market will...