Federal Reserve System
Federal Reserve needs English elocution lessons
Once Ben Bernanke becomes Federal Reserve chairman after the bank's 31 Jan meeting, suggests this article published on Tuesday 9 January, a top priority should be ending the textual semaphore that's become the central bank's way of not quite…
Fed speeches may send investors in wrong direction
This article published on Saturday 7 January reports on research presented in Boston by Vincent Reinhart, director of the Fed's monetary affairs division, and Brian Sack, a former Fed economist which says Federal Reserve speeches "are the least accurate…
Federal Reserve Bulletin, Autumn 2005
The Federal Reserve published its Bulletin for Autumn 2005 on 5 January. The article 'Recent developments in the credit card market and the financial obligations ratio' says three developments in the credit card market contributed to the rise in the…
Soros expects global economy slow down in 2007
International financier George Soros said in Singapore Monday 9 January that he expects a global recession in 2007 if the U.S. housing market continues to cool after the Fed halts it rate hike campaign.
Fed may take pass at Jan. 31 meeting
According to this article published on Thursday 5 January, there's an outside chance the Federal Reserve could pass on raising rates on 31 January following 25-basis-point moves at each of the last 13 meetings. The next move skywards would put the Fed's…
Atlanta Fed names vice president
John Robertson was named vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on Tuesday 3 January.
Bernanke may have to grow up fast
Alan Greenspan's first major test came a mere 10 weeks into his tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve, with the stock market crash of 1987. This article published on Wednesday 4 January looks at the challenges that could face Ben Bernanke when he…
Interview with Hans Tietmeyer
Former Bundesbank president Hans Tietmeyer said in comments published Friday 6 January, that it's too early to pass final judgment on the legacy passed down by Alan Greenspan. "He is an impressive personality. He is open to debate. You can use all…
Study shows Fed deflation tools can work
The Federal Reserve has several ways to boost the economy even if official U.S. interest rates were ever to hit zero, but the public needs to understand them to make them effective, a new Fed study shows.
ECB paper The timing of central bank communication
This European Central Bank Working Paper explores whether there are systematic patterns as to when members of the decision-making committees of the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the ECB communicate with the public, and under what circumstances…
Fed minutes signpost end to rate hikes
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday 3 January said it considers its 1-1/2 year long policy of raising U.S. interest rates is nearing an end, saying a statement after its December meeting aimed to signal only a few more increases were likely.
Fed can see an end to interest rate increases
Federal Reserve officials may be close to ending the series of interest-rate increases they started 18 months ago, according to this article published on Wednesday 4 January, though they will keep going as long as necessary to combat inflation, it says.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, November 05
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November 2005 was +0.35, down from +1.02 in October. Three of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index made positive contributions, while the remaining category made a neutral contribution.
Fed breaks pattern, signals replace promises
According to this recent article, the Federal Reserve's latest FOMC statement marks the end to an extraordinary 18-month period during which they telegraphed exactly what they were going to do at their next policy-making meeting.
Fed wraps holiday statement in shade of neutral
According to this recent article, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has offered the markets some holiday cheer, hinting at the recent FOMC meeting that the federal funds rate had entered a neutral zone.
Richmond Fed promotes officer
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond announced on Friday 9 December that Gregory Sierra would become assistant vice president, Banking Supervision and Regulation effective from 1 Jan 2006.
Interview with ECB's Bini Smaghi
Speaking recently, Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, said that the US Federal Reserve is better than the ECB is "a bit like saying that Alonso is better than Schumacher. It depends on the car. The US economy…
Philadelphia Fed names bank supervision advisor
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has named H. Robert Tillman special advisor to the Supervision, Regulation and Credit Department.
Richmond Fed appoints deputy general counsel
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond announced on Wednesday 14 December that Patricia A. Lacey Nunley would be appointed to the position of deputy general counsel, with responsibility for the Legal department, effective from 1 Jan.
Philadelphia Fed President to leave next year
Anthony Santomero, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, announced on Friday 16 December that he will leave his position as president effective 31 March.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Dec 2005
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, December 2005, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to expand.
Fed's Greenspan on free markets
In a speech given on 14 December Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said the rise in global living standards despite fears of violence is a testament to the value of free markets in the world.
Fed raises rates, tweaks statement
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 13 December to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4-1/4 percent. In its statement the FOMC removed the term 'policy accommondation' but suggested rates could rise further…
Word junkies get ready for a fix from the Fed
According to this article published on Monday 12 December, while there is little doubt the Fed will raise the funds rate by another 25 basis points to 4.25 percent on Tuesday, the main issue is the language of the statement.