Rick Santelli Has Retired From Full-Time CNBC Role
The veteran financial reporter will transition to a contributor role after over 27 years with the network.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Rick Santelli concluded his tenure as a full-time on-air editor for CNBC on October 2, 2026. A fixture in financial reporting, he will continue to appear on the network as a contributor.
Why it matters
Santelli was a prominent voice in economic journalism, known for covering the Federal Reserve and interest rate policy from the trading floor in Chicago for more than two decades. His shift signals a change in the long-standing lineup of the network's market coverage.
Santelli served as an on-air editor for 27 years, beginning his full-time employment in 1999. He intentionally timed his final full-time broadcast to coincide with the release of the monthly employment report.
The players
Rick Santelli
He is a veteran financial journalist who spent over two decades reporting on federal interest rate policies and market movements.
CNBC
This is a major American business news cable channel that provides continuous coverage of financial markets and economic developments.
The details
Reporting primarily from Chicago, Santelli became known for his analysis of financial markets and central bank policy. The network marked his final day of full-time duty by airing a special farewell video tribute.
Timeline
Santelli first appeared on CNBC as a guest in 1994.
He officially joined the network as an on-air editor in 1999.
His final day as a full-time employee was October 2, 2026.
Macro View
Santelli's career transition follows the evolution of broadcast financial journalism from the early 1990s to the current digital-first era. This shift marks a departure from the traditional model of on-floor anchoring that defined the network's market reporting for decades.
Viewers who rely on Santelli's commentary regarding interest rates and the Federal Reserve will still see him on-air in his new capacity. The change primarily alters his professional standing within the network rather than his accessibility to the audience.
The takeaway
The move reflects a natural evolution for veteran broadcast personalities who transition from daily production roles to expert commentary. Readers can expect a continuation of Santelli's analytical style even as his formal title changes.
Further reading
For more information on market analysts and industry trends, visit the Economic Indicators section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News International.
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