Top Fed job: Rieder not yet interviewed, decision likely this month

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Rick Rieder has not yet been interviewed by President Trump for the Federal Reserve chair post and that a nominee is expected later this month.

Rick Rieder has not yet been interviewed by President Donald Trump for the appointment to lead the U.S. Federal Reserve, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday. The decision is drawing attention because Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term expires in May. Rieder is one of four finalists under consideration. Bessent said he expects a nominee to be announced later this month. Known details: - Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief bond investment manager, has not been interviewed by Trump, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. - Four finalists are under consideration: Rick Rieder, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh. - Bessent said the other three finalists have been interviewed by the president. - Bessent noted Rieder is the only candidate among the finalists without prior Federal Reserve experience. - Bessent said he expected a decision possibly right before or shortly after the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (Jan. 19-23). - President Trump told the New York Times he "has in his mind a decision" but has not publicly disclosed a pick. Summary: A nomination to succeed Jerome Powell is expected later this month, and timing may be linked to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The next formal step reported is the president announcing a nominee, with the chosen person set to succeed Powell when his term ends in May.