Printing too much money combined with a reduction in the supply of goods due to the covid closures caused inflation. This is what happens when politicians mess with the economy. Then, to add insult to injury they announce a reduction on gasoline tax while at the same time increase diesel tax. So, the outcome was to put more discretionary spending in the hands of the public while adding more costs to goods shipped by truck (ie everything). Both of which added to the upward pressure placed on the general market basket of goods (ie inflation).
Here is the volume of money printed in the US in the last decade:
https://tradingeconomics.com/united-...oney-supply-m1
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In order to determine the lasting effects of inflation on the prime rate we need to look as the desired rate of 2.5% (approx) and extrapolate that based on the current actual of 6-8% (approx) to predict how long the prime rate will continue to be as it is. Since inflation is 3-4 times what it should be there must be some years ahead where it is lower than 2.5% in order to average out, therefore for every year inflation is over the avereage there must be an equal and opposite year where it is lower than the average in order to acheive the desired rate of 2.5% (approx). So, for those looking to the immediate future for lower interest rates, I dont see that happening until some time after inflation is lower than 2.5%.