Fed Chair Nominee Likely Before Christmas, Bessent Says

Fed Chair nominee likely before Christmas, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, sharpening trader focus on the December FOMC and market positioning.

November 25, 2025·2 min read
View all news articles
Flat vector central bank vault with a ticking stopwatch to symbolize Fed Chair nominee timing and policy uncertainty

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Bessent said a Fed Chair nominee was likely before Christmas, with final interviews nearly complete.
  • Reported shortlist includes Waller, Bowman, Warsh, Hassett and Rick Rieder.
  • CME FedWatch showed an 84.7% probability of a December rate cut.

HIGH POTENTIAL TRADES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX

Add your email to receive our free daily newsletter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Or subscribe with

Fed Chair nominee prospects sharpened on Nov. 25, 2025, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump is likely to announce a nominee before Christmas as final interviews near completion, heightening scrutiny of the December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and near-term policy direction.

Nomination Timeline and Policy Outlook

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is leading the search for the next Federal Reserve chair and has one candidate interview remaining before making a final recommendation. He expects to complete interviews by mid-December, with President Trump meeting the final three candidates. Any nominee must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and no formal nomination had been submitted as of Nov. 25.

The reported shortlist includes Federal Reserve Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, former Governor Kevin Warsh, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, and BlackRock executive Rick Rieder. The administration seeks a candidate who is forward-looking on regulation, aligning with President Trump’s preference for a more aggressive approach to interest-rate cuts. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May 2026.

The FOMC remains divided on further easing and will meet in December. The CME FedWatch Tool showed an 84.7% probability of a rate cut at that meeting, reflecting strong market expectations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nonfarm payrolls rose by 119,000 in September 2025, though longer-term employment growth remains weak. This combination of an accelerated selection process and market anticipation gives the nomination’s timing immediate policy significance ahead of the December meeting.

HIGH POTENTIAL TRADES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX

Add your email to receive our free daily newsletter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Or subscribe with

Read other top news stories

Nexstar Tegna Merger Blocked; Judge Halts $6.2B Deal

Nexstar Tegna Merger Blocked; Judge Halts $6.2B Deal

Nexstar Tegna merger injunction raises legal risk and forces operational separation effective April 20, 2026, prompting traders to reassess positions.

Regions Financial Q1 2026 Earnings Rise on Credit Gains

Regions Financial Q1 2026 Earnings Rise on Credit Gains

Regions Financial Q1 2026 earnings showed profit and EPS gains and improving credit, shifting focus to FY2026 net interest income guidance for traders.

Cerebras IPO Filed After Expanded OpenAI Deal

Cerebras IPO Filed After Expanded OpenAI Deal

Cerebras IPO filing on April 17, 2026 follows an expanded OpenAI commitment and could boost IPO demand while supporting a higher valuation for the IPO.

Anthropic White House Meeting Signals Progress

Anthropic White House Meeting Signals Progress

Anthropic White House Meeting could ease its lawsuit and Pentagon blacklisting, tightening defense access expectations and positioning for AI suppliers.

Oil Prices Plunge After Strait of Hormuz Reopens

Oil Prices Plunge After Strait of Hormuz Reopens

Oil Prices Plunge after Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, and markets repriced returning flows, knocking crude lower and rotating energy-sector risk.

Apple iPhone Shipments China Q1 2026 Surge

Apple iPhone Shipments China Q1 2026 Surge

Apple iPhone Shipments China Q1 2026 surged, lifting Apple toward second in China and focusing investors on high-end demand and memory-chip cost risks.