Federal Reserve System

St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, July 2004

The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, July 2004 edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "Fannie, Freddie and the FHLB". These government-sponsored enterprises continue to make headlines because of…

'The Region' from the Minneapolis Fed, June 2004

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has published its regular magazine, The Region, for June 2004. The issue includes 'Prospects for economic expansion' in which Gary Stern speaks on the concepts of resilience, flexibility and productivity. In …

Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, Jul/Aug 2004

The latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for July-August 2004 contains proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual Economic Policy Conference of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and includes articles "Is inflation targeting best-practice monetary…

St Louis Fed's Central Banker, Summer 2004

The Summer 2004 edition of the St. Louis Fed's Central Banker magazine has been published. The latest issue carries an article "The FACT Act Helps Bankers Mitigate Risks" which says approximately half of all identity-theft claims in the Eighth District…

Fed's Gramlich on reducing budget deficits

In a speechon 'Reducing budget deficits' given on 24 June, Edward Gramlich of the Federal Reserve said the United States must reduce its budget deficits and enforce a tighter fiscal policy to ensure the long-run health of the economy.

Fed's Kohn on regulatory reform proposals

In testimony 'Regulatory reform proposals' given on 22 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said that the Federal Reserve Board strongly supports legislative proposals that would authorise the payment of interest on demand deposits and on balances…

Fed's Bies on trends in risk management

In the speech 'Trends in Risk Management and Corporate Governance' given on 22 June Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said America's banks and other financial institutions are making progress in tightening their rules and procedures but still…

Fed's Olson on the economic outlook

In the speech 'Economic Outlook' given on 15 June Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the Fed should be able to raise interest rates gradually, although economic events would ultimately dictate the pace. He also said that although US inflation has…

Greenspan's testimony at nomination hearing

In his nomination hearing testimony to the US Senate on 15 June Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve must stand ready to deal with a large number of possible threats to the economy, including another terrorist attack on U.S…

Olson on banking insurance & securities activities

In a speech on 'Regulatory update: Banking industry, insurance, and securities activities' given on 10 June, Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the U.S. system of risk-focused bank supervision relies heavily on cooperation among multiple state and…

Federal Reserve Bulletin, Spring 2004

The Federal Reserve published its Bulletin for Spring 2004 on 9 June. The Bulletin includes a summary of papers presented at the second Conference of the International Research Forum on Monetary Policy. Among the topics examined were the Great Inflation…

Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, May/Jun 2004

In the latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for May-June 2004, Fed economists Kevin Kliesen and Frank Schmid examine how announced changes in monetary policy actions and macroeconomic data releases affect the average rate of inflation that…

Fed's Bies on accountancy reform

In a written statement on IASB reform given on 3 June, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve strongly supports efforts to enhance the oversight activities of the IASCF and the standards-setting processes of the IASB. Such…

Richmond Fed's Economic Quarterly, Spring 2004

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has published its Economic Quarterly for Spring 2004. The latest edition contains four articles including "Which price index should a central bank employ?" Many central banks give a high degree of prominence to the…

Chicago Fed National Activity Index, April 2004

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index April 2004 increased sharply in April, to +0.64, from an upward-revised +0.23 in March. Each of the four broad categories of indicators that comprise the index made positive contributions in April, with production-…

The extraordinary Greenspan

This editorial from The Washington Times says it is quite unlikely that the American and world economies would have experienced such good fortunes as they have over the past 20 years were Mr. Greenspan not leading the world's most powerful central bank…

Fed's Ferguson on economics and ethical behaviors

In a speech on 'Economics and Ethical Behaviors' given on 22 May, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said that acting morally and ethically pays dividends while not doing so imposes costly regulation on society as a whole. Economic outcomes are…

Fed's Gramlich on subprime mortgage lending

In a speech on 'Subprime Mortgage Lending: Benefits, Costs, and Challenges' given on 21 May, Edward Gramlich of the Federal Reserve said a relatively high rate of defaults on subprime mortgages raises warning flags, but expanding credit to those who…

Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, May 2004

According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, May 2004 activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to expand. Indicators for employment and prices received were up from their April readings, the survey…

Greenspan on acceptance of the Eisenhower Medal

In a speech on 'Acceptance of the Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service' given on 20 May, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said fears that the 2001 terrorist attacks could halt the growth of international commerce have proven groundless as the…

Fed's Bernanke on gradualism

In a speech on 'Gradualism' given on 20 May, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said the Fed should be able to push short-term interest rates up at a gradual pace, but the speed of expected rate hikes will be dictated by economic events.