Federal Reserve System
The pursuit of financial stability – an outside view
A two-part survey of central banks’ work in financial stability – the first article offers a critical assessment, the second an overview of current policy-oriented research. By Robert Pringle.
News Analysis: Key insight embodied in new technology
Following the news that this year’s winners of the Nobel prize for economics are Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott, Paul Brione spoke with Edward Prescott, who currently works at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Here is his report on their…
Fed's Ferguson on equilibrium real interest rate
In a speech on 'Equilibrium real interest rate: Theory and application' given on 29 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said that policymakers cannot rely on a formula to decide the proper level for U.S. interest rates, but must always judge…
Fed's Bernanke on oil and the economy
In a speech on 'Oil and the economy' given on 21 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said soaring oil prices now represent a "significant shock" to the US economy but the longer-term impact should be manageable.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Oct 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, October 2004, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continued to improve. In this months survey the participants were asked about their plans and expectations for…
Fed's Bies on the Federal Reserve and the economy
In a speech on 'The Federal Reserve System and the economy' given on 23 October, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said the Fed will keep an eye on how much surging oil costs affect consumer prices but said she expects underlying inflation to…
Fed's Bies on financial institution supervision
In a speech on 'Enterprise perspectives in financial institution supervision' given on 21 October, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said mortgage market giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taking on interest-rate risk as a way to grow…
Greenspan on US mortgage market and consumer debt
In a speech on 'The mortgage market and consumer debt' given on 19 October, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said conceded there were concerns about "the exceptional run-up in home prices" but said Americans were handling their debts well.
Fed's Ferguson on good policy practice
In a speech on 'Safeguarding good policy practice through maintaining flexibility' given on 8 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said he is opposed to the idea of adopting an explicit inflation target as it could limit the ability of the Fed…
Fed's Kohn on low-probability, high-impact events
In a speech 'How should policymakers deal with low-probability, high-impact events?' given at the ECB's Conference on Monetary Policy and Imperfect Knowledge on 15 October, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said central banks with credibility for…
Greenspan not worried over oil price
In a speech titled 'Oil' given on 15 October Fed chairman Alan Greenspan said the current surge in energy prices is likely to have far less of an impact on the economy than the oil shocks of the 1970s.
Fed's Bernanke says floating exchange rates best
In a speech to the Cato Institute 22nd Annual Monetary Conference on Thursday 14 October Ben Bernanke said that the best course is generally to let exchange rates float freely and to make low and stable inflation a principal focus of monetary policy,…
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, October 2004
The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, October 2004 edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "U.S. Stays Out of the Way of Entrepreneurs" which says for those starting a business in this country,…
Ferguson on free trade: What do economists know?
In a speech on 'Free Trade: What Do Economists Really Know?' given on 7 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said he sees the current account deficit as a risk if it ends in a wrenching adjustment that strains Americans and spills over to other…
Fed's Bernanke: What have we learned since 1979?
In the speech 'Panel discussion: What Have We Learned Since October 1979?' given on 8 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said by doing what was necessary to achieve price stability, the Volcker Fed laid the groundwork for two decades, so far,…
Fed's Bernanke on cb talk and monetary policy
In a speech on 'Central Bank Talk and Monetary Policy' given on 7 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve should take additional steps to be more transparent because monetary policy is more effective when the Fed gives the…
Fed's Greenspan on monetary policy after Oct 1979
In a speech on 'Monetary policy twenty-five years after October 1979' given on 7 October, Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan praised former central bank chief Paul Volcker's "decisive action" against rising prices at a landmark meeting of the…
Growth impact from oil 'modest' says Fed's Hoenig
Record oil prices will only have a moderate impact on U.S. growth which looks set for a solid performance over the next 18 months, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Thomas Hoenig said on Wednesday 6 October .
Resolving large financial intermediaries: Update
In this updated article, the authors examine issues surrounding the possible failure of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Finding parallels between resolving insolvent large banks and insolvent housing enterprises, the authors suggest improvements to the…
Philadelphia Fed Business Review, 3rd Quarter 2004
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has published its regular Business Review for the Third Quarter 2004. In this issue President Santomero talks about 'Banking in the 21st Century'. There is also an article 'Managing the Recovery in Uncertain Times…
Fed's Ferguson on the personal saving rate
In a speech on 'Questions and reflections on the personal saving rate' given on 6 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the large US current account deficit brings with it risks that a sharp adjustment in overseas demand for US assets could…
Fed's Bernanke on the implementation of Basel II
In a speech on 'The implementation of Basel II: Some issues for cross-border banking' given on 4 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said obviously oil prices are a drag at the current time, but we think the economy can accommodate them at their…
Greenspan: The man who does the opposite
This article looks at what it says is the recurring pattern in Alan Greenspan's life of saying the opposite of what he is thinking/doing. Giving the example of his obscure but now famous essay, "Gold and Economic Freedom" published in 1966 it asks why he…