Bloomberg Surveillance Single Best Idea with Tom Keene: Steve Englander & Meredith Whitney
Feb 4, 2026
Meredith Whitney, noted banking and credit analyst who calls trends in financial institutions, and Steve Englander, Standard Chartered macro chief focused on currencies and rates. They discuss a likely multi-year dollar surge, near-term policy caution and easing risk premiums, plus debates over Kevin Warsh’s qualifications and how his hearings may play out.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dollar Strength Echoes Late-1990s
- Steve Englander argues the dollar's long-term trajectory is strong, likening it to the late 1990s era.
- He expects a gradual U.S. dollar appreciation after a short-term calming of risk premiums.
Short-Term Cooling Before Gradual Appreciation
- Englander expects U.S. policy to become more cautious in the short term around political events.
- He predicts the dollar will appreciate gradually as risk premiums from January dissipate.
Conversation On Credit Card Rates
- Tom Keene notes he had an obligatory conversation with Meredith Whitney about credit card rates and policy.
- He highlights Whitney's view that current card rates are near 19.65% and the president seeks 10%.