Fed's Fisher would push for interest hike

DALLAS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Dallas Federal Reserve bank President Richard Fisher said Friday he would "aggressively" push for interest-rate increases if inflation pressures returned.

Inflation appears to be under control, but if pressures surge, "I would aggressively advocate" for interest-rate hikes, he told Dallas's Rotary Club of the Park Cities.

The Fed has kept benchmark interest rates at 5.25 percent since June.

Fisher is not a voting member of the monetary policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee this year.

Fisher said he was confident the Fed would bring core inflation back down below 2 percent. Core inflation is currently slightly above 2 percent, Fisher said.