Your original post should include at least one reference to an article, paper, or other online material from a reputable source on one of the topics listed below (or an original topic of your choice). You are encouraged to include your own opinions and analysis, and to relate the topic in question to the course material and/or your

own personal experience. Examples of reputable sources include widely read journalistic publications and newspapers (e.g. The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The Economist, etc.) and peer-reviewed academic journals (e.g. The Journal of Finance).

Possible topics for your consideration, research, and discussion:

1) The 2008-2009 financial crisis: Following the crisis, how did changes in interest rates affect the behavior of corporations, consumers, and/or investors? As the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in 2021-2022, what were the implications for corporations, consumers, and/or investors? 2) International focus: What drives interest rates to vary across different countries? What actions in recent years have been undertaken by the central banks of other countries, and why? 3) History of interest rates: What caused interest rates to rise so dramatically in the 1970s 1980s in the United States? What impact did this have on corporations, consumers, and/or investors? 4) Other topics related to interest rates There are many possible topics to discuss regarding interest rates you do not need to follow the example topics listed above