Fed Asks Banks to Test Negative Interest Rates.

First Europe, then Japan — are we next for negative interest rates?

Maybe:

As interest rates turn negative around the world, the Federal Reserve is asking banks to consider the possibility of the same happening in the U.S.

In its annual stress test for 2016, the Fed said it will assess the resilience of big banks to a number of possible situations, including one where the rate on the three-month U.S. Treasury bill stays below zero for a prolonged period.

“The severely adverse scenario is characterized by a severe global recession, accompanied by a period of heightened corporate financial stress and negative yields for short-term U.S. Treasury securities,” the central bank said in announcing the stress tests last week.

Negative interest rates don’t cure deflation, but they’re an excellent means for preventing the savings and investment required for future growth.

Welcome (again) to the New Normal.