 TITLE: What Happens to Interest Rates During a Recession? CONTENT: When a recession occurs, there's often a widespread and lengthy decline in the economy. However, the exact measure and definition of a recession can vary.\nOne popular definition of a recession is when there are two consecutive quarters of negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth. But the nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which determines the start and stop dates of recessions in the U.S., takes a more nuanced approach. In addition to looking at GDP data, the NBER considers other factors, such as income and unemployment rates.\nIn June, the NBER confirmed that the current U.S. recession began in February 2020. Once a low point is reached, the economy shifts from recession to expansion. END