Federal Reserve System
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, July 2006
The Federal Reserve published its July 2006 Beige Book survey on 26 July. The U.S. economy grew overall during June through mid-July but some individual regions reported slowing activity, and there were scattered reports of rising prices, the report said.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, June 2006
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for June 2006, published 26 July, was +0.34 in June, up from -0.14 in May. Three of the four broad categories of indicators made positive contributions to the index.
Gentle Ben - Inside the head of the Fed
This recent article published by Time says that after a few early missteps, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is hitting his stride, but the economy may not cooperate.
Bernanke keeps own finances simple
This article from Associated Press, published Tuesday 25 July, provides details of the Federal Reserve chairman's financial disclosure form released this week.
Bernanke's fluid inflation tone bemuses Wall St.
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke seemed remarkably unruffled last week by recent signs that inflation is accelerating, according to this article by Reuters.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jul 2006
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's July 2006 Business Outlook Survey, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continued to expand in July, but at a somewhat slower pace than in June.
Roseman on coin and currency issues
In testimony 'Coin and currency issues' given on 19 July Louise Roseman of the Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems said a law requiring the Treasury Department to issue new Presidential $1 coin designs every year may not foster…
Minutes show Fed unsure on future rate path
Federal Reserve officials were uncertain about future interest rate steps at their last meeting, minutes released Thursday 20 July showed.
Federal Reserve bank pay & staffing trends
A new report from the Financial Markets Center, published Tuesday 18 July, says that the last decade has seen the Fed lose almost 20% of the jobs at its regional Reserve Banks. At the same time, it says, average pay levels have risen for the remaining…
Fed's Warsh on corporate cash balances
In the speech 'Corporate cash balances and economic activity' given on 18 July Kevin Warsh of the Federal Reserve said US companies are at last starting to borrow more and cut the cash hoards they maintained during the economic recovery, a trend that is…
Bernanke's testimony to Congress
In testimony given on 19 July Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve warned that stubbornly high inflation could harm the U.S. economy and that the U.S. central bank must guard against rising prices taking hold.
Federal Reserve's Monetary Policy Report, Jul 2006
The Federal Reserve published its July 2006 Monetary Policy Report to the Congress on Wednesday 19 July. The U.S. economy continued to expand at a brisk rate, on balance, over the first half of 2006, the report said.
Upset about death of Fed watching? Come to Asia
According to this article from Bloomberg, published Wednesday 19 July, the Federal Reserve has so comprehensively demystified what it does, that anyone can become a Fed watcher.
Comment: Bernanke focuses on risks
In his remarks following the delivery of the Fed's semi-annual monetary policy to Congress, Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, adopted an approach very much in keeping with his predecessor, Alan Greenspan. What does this mean for the Fed's inflation targeting…
St Louis Fed paper on forex intervention
This Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Working Paper "Authorities' beliefs about foreign exchange intervention: Getting back under the hood" presents the results of a survey of monetary authorities with respect to their beliefs about foreign exchange…
Volcker says Bernanke faces tougher time than him
In an interview with Bloomberg television, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker said Ben Bernanke faces an even tougher challenge than he did as leader of the Fed.
Stern says Fed will remain diligent
The Federal Reserve is committed to its responsibility of avoiding a damaging rise in inflation, Minneapolis Fed president Gary Stern said on Thursday 13 July.
Alvarez's testimony on industrial loan companies
In testimony given on 12 July Scott Alvarez of the General Counsel said U.S. lawmakers should determine who can use industrial loan companies before commercial firms decide for themselves.
Mishkin says he will stick to Fed's goals
Federal Reserve nominee Frederic Mishkin told a hearing on Wednesday 12 July that he would keep faith with the Fed's responsibilities for ensuring price stability, full employment and a stable financial system.
Comment: Is the Fed's message getting clearer?
The chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, has received much criticism for allegedly failing to explain the Fed's view to markets clearly. Are there signs that after a shaky start, Bernanke is starting to get his message across more clearly?
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, Jul/Aug 2006
The latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for Jul/Aug 2006 includes the article 'Is the United States bankrupt?' The paper offers three policies to eliminate the nation's enormous fiscal gap and avert bankruptcy.
Kohn with reflections on globalization & policies
In the speech 'Reflections on globalization and policies' given on 6 July Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said he was aware of the risk of raising rates more than necessary but saw a need for higher global interest rates to maintain stability.
Bies on the challenges of Basel II implementation
In the speech 'Addressing challenges raised by Basel II implementation' given on 4 July Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said US bank regulators are moving smoothly through proposed rules implementing Basel II bank capital standards and are on…
Richmond Fed's Economic Quarterly, Spring 2006
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has published its Economic Quarterly for Spring 2006. The latest issue includes the article 'Implementation of optimal monetary policy'.