• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, September 11, 2015

With the business world debating whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates, you really couldn’t choose a better time to launch “WSJ Pro,” a special subscription service from The Wall Street Journalpromising in-depth coverage of business-related topics -- whose first sub-vertical happens to be focused on central banking.

On Thursday, the business newspaper unveiled WSJ Pro Central Banking, the first in a planned portfolio of digital publications targeting business decision-makers with tailored reporting on key subjects.

According to the WSJ, WSJ Pro Central Banking “delivers proprietary news, analysis and real-time alerts on the Fed and global monetary policy.”

WSJ Pro Central Banking launched with an analysis showing a small majority of economists believe the Fed will not, in fact, raise rates in September due to concerns about the global economy and low inflation in the U.S.

For the $2,400 annual subscription cost, following an introductory offer of $2,000 for the first year, per a report in Politico, subscribers also get access to newsletters and alerts, data and interactive features, and networking events.

Perhaps most importantly, they can address questions about monetary policy and processes directly to WSJ Pro Central Banking editors. Examples cited by the WSJ include fairly obscure (but potentially important) queries like “What are the responsibilities and powers of FOMC [Federal Open Market Committee] alternate members?”

The WSJ did not reveal what other specialized business topics future Pro publications will address, but it’s not hard to imagine dedicated reporting on subjects like investment banking, commodities, pharmaceuticals, and so on.

It should be noted WSJ Pro is different from The Wall Street Journal Professional Edition, launched by Dow Jones in 2009 to offer more personalized business news and analysis -- but without the focus on specific business categories.

The WSJ has been introducing new products at a steady pace in recent months. Last month it launched a new mobile-only app for the iPhone, “What’s News,” providing a digital version of the news-at-a-glance feature from the front page of the print newspaper. The app is only available to WSJ subscribers, who receive it as a free additional product.