Federal Reserve System
Lifetime achievement award: Paul Volcker
Paul Volcker’s record of achievement in difficult circumstances continues to provide an inspiration to central bankers throughout the world
History likely to vindicate Fed's crisis policies, says Bernanke
The Federal Reserve has developed ‘all the tools needed' to manage monetary policy; costs of extraordinary measures exaggerated, Bernanke says
Fed consults over financial stability implications of commodities investment
Financial firms' involvement in commodity markets could pose a risk to financial stability, particularly in the event of a natural or environmental disaster
‘Yellenomics’ – the second coming of Keynes at the Fed
Janet Yellen's confirmation is an historic shift toward a more activist Fed, a reinstatement of Keynesian economics and expanded government in general, writes Thomas Cargill
Stanley Fischer nominated Fed vice-chair
US President also nominates Lael Brainard, a former US Treasury under-secretary, to the Federal Reserve board, while Jerome Powell, on the board since 2012, is nominated for a second term
Disappointing jobs report raises questions over Fed forward guidance
US unemployment falls toward Fed ‘threshold' of 6.5%, but few new jobs are added; confusing result raises questions for how - or whether - the Fed will proceed with its 'taper'
Fed minutes reveal QE wind-down balancing act
Reduction in monthly asset purchases of $10 billion meant to signal slow rather than quick tapering; thresholds becoming less relevant as economy improves
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Janet Yellen - that honeymoon feeling
Comparing what the new Fed chief should do with what is likely
People: Lautenschläger for ECB board; IMF's García set for Chile central bank
EU leaders nominate Bundesbank deputy, in charge of banking supervision, to take German spot on ECB executive; Chile's IMF director to join national central bank; and more
Yellen approved as Fed chairwoman
US Senate approves Janet Yellen as Federal Reserve's first female chair, in closest vote to date; adjusting unconventional policies to improving economic conditions ‘greatest challenge', says analyst
US community banks losing their edge with small businesses, paper finds
Fed discussion paper finds small, opaque businesses are just as likely to use a large banking corporation as they are a community bank; strong banking relationships remain important
Bernanke looks back on his time at the top
Fed chairman, who steps down on February 1, offers his take on an array of issues, including the long-term implications of asset purchases, central bank accountability and financial stability reforms
US Fed heads debate slow growth ‘riddle'
Presidents of four regional reserve banks at odds over whether weak trajectory in wake of the financial crisis is inherently structural or cyclical
2013: The year in review
The past year has seen growing acceptance of a new normal in central banking, and concrete progress on various elements of bank regulation – we look back at the biggest stories of 2013
Two-thirds of US non-cash payments by card, but cheques persist
Payments by credit and debit cards grew nearly 8% annually between 2009 and 2012, according to new Fed data; 122.8 billion non-cash payments made in 2012, worth $79 trillion
Fed taper met with calm, but questions remain
Markets take ‘expected' tapering in stride, but analysts warn of persistent emerging market vulnerabilities and changing FOMC dynamics in 2014
Robert Pringle's Viewpoint: Towards a Central Bank of Scotland
As in the 1930s, the global financial crisis is causing geo-political fallout, including increased latent tensions in Britain’s constitutional arrangements and international alliances
Bernanke praises Volcker and Greenspan contributions on policy communication
Current Fed chair uses centenary celebration to hail contributions of his two predecessors in improving the Fed's communications - including ‘qualitative forward guidance' under Greenspan
Fed appoints five new regional reserve bank chairs for 2014
Fed board of governors has released the names of regional reserve bank chairs and deputy chairs for 2014; JC Penney CEO and Yale economics professor among new appointees, seven chairs reappointed
ECB launches online competition to familiarise citizens with new €10 banknote
Players have to uncover four security features and also guess the number of euro banknotes in circulation in the euro area on December 31, 2013; new note unveiled on January 13
Federal agencies finalise Volcker rule exceptions
The Federal Reserve, FDIC and other agencies agree on a final version of the Volcker rule to ban proprietary trading and investment fund activities, but with a series of exemptions
Fed presidents weigh in on QE as job numbers improve, debt ceiling showdown looms
Five of 12 regional Fed presidents have staked out their positions on bank's asset purchases in recent days as FOMC gears up for next meeting on December 17
Fed launches online ‘gateway' to bank's history
New website features infographics, essays and biographies to mark the Fed's 100th birthday on December 23
Unexpected increases in Fed funds rate prompt gold prices to rise
Atlanta Fed working paper examining futures data between 1998-2008 finds that unexpected changes in the Fed's monetary policy can influence commodity prices