Federal Reserve System
US economy grew slowly in October, November
The U.S. economy remained sluggish in late October and early November, with districts cautiously optimistic about the outlook, the Federal Reserve revealed Wednesday in its regular Beige Book.
Santomero on Crises, Contagion, and Coordination
SPEECH - In the speech 'Crises, Contagion, and Coordination: Issues for Policymakers in the Global Economy' Anthony Santomero of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said recent history provides many examples of events which have important economic…
Moskow expects US to hit growth potential in 2003
Michael Moskow has followed up Robert McTeer's comments we reported yesterday, saying the central bank's accommodative monetary policy will help US economic growth recover to full speed by next year. He is just the latest in a line of Federal Reserve…
Ben Bernanke on the threat of deflation
SPEECH - In the speech 'Deflation: Making Sure "It" Doesn't Happen Here' Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said sustained deflation can be a highly destructive force and should be strongly resisted. He emphasised that prevention of deflation is…
Chicago Fed Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Purchases 17-acre Site Near Eastern Market for New Detroit Branch Office, 21 November.
Olson on banking in 2002 after a decade of change
SPEECH - In the speech 'The Banking Industry in 2002 after a Decade of Change' Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the past decade has been a time of dynamic change in the financial services industry and there are no signs that the pace of change will…
'Goose the US economy' says McTeer
The latest Federal Reserve official to publicly voice his support for the FOMC's recent interest rate reduction is Bob McTeer, president of the Dallas Fed. McTeer showed himself to be in favour of a rate cut back in September, voting against the FOMC…
Fed's Kohn on US trade gap
Federal Reserve Governor Donald Kohn said on Friday it was "hard to imagine" the imbalance in the U.S. current account could continue indefinitely and that a rough correction of the situation was a distinct risk.
Moskow on the economic outlook
SPEECH - In the speech 'Moskow on the economic outlook' Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said following the Federal Reserves recent half point interest rate cut that, the low-inflation environment has allowed us to maintain an…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index October 2002
REPORT - CFNAI Shows Economic Growth Slowed Further in October - In October, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) remained below zero for a third month, coming in at -0.81 The three-month moving average index, CFNAI-MA3, moved down to -0.55.
Fed governor Bernanke repeats confidence on prices
Much recent press comment has focussed on whether the US economy could be set for a period of deflation. In a speech made Thursday Ben Bernanke said he was confident that the Federal Reserve still had the fire power left, even if interest rates fell…
William Poole - From Professor to Policymaker
SPEECH - In the speech 'From Professor to Policymaker: Emerging from the Shadow' William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said his years of teaching and writing as a university professor have helped him to develop effective communication…
US Economists' group criticises Fed rate cut
The Federal Reserves recent aggressive rate cut of half a point surprised most. It did nothing to improve sentiment in the markets with the dollar falling on the news as the US economy appeared to be in worse shape than was thought. Now the Shadow Open…
Greenspan on Int'l Financial Risk Management
SPEECH - In the speech 'International Financial Risk Management' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said episodes such as September 11 indicate that the ability of economies to absorb unexpected shocks has increased over the past two decades. He also…
Chicago Fed Letter, December 2002 Special Issue
REPORT - The latest Chicago Fed Letter is titled 'Financial market and regulatory behaviour over the business cycle'. It asks the questions, should regulation and supervision be used to smooth out the business cycle? and how do financial firms respond to…
Greenspan speaks at book launch
SPEECH - Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan spoke at the launch of a new book by Allan Meltzer. He described the book, History of the Federal Reserve Volume I as an indispensable input for monetary economists and economic historians alike. Drafts of the book…
Edward George on price/earnings ratios
SPEECH - Sir Edward George of the Bank of England told the Association of Corporate Treasurers last week that on some measures price/earnings ratos were back to the long-term averages. Is he saying the equity bubble is over, at least in the UK?
Greenspan on the economic outlook
SPEECH - In testimony titled 'The economic outlook' made on 13 November, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said before Congress's Joint Economic Committee, that last week's sharp interest rate cut should help the country through its "soft patch,"…
San Francisco Fed chief expects recovery next year
US - Following the Federal Reserve's half point interest rate cut last week Robert Parry said in a speech on Wednesday that the Fed thought it was wise to "take out a little insurance" to keep the expansion going.
Greenspan on The Wealth of Nations Revisited
SPEECH - In the speech 'The Wealth of Nations Revisited' made on 12 November, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said Adam Smith's idea of the 'invisible hand' whereby economic decisions that benefit an individual benefit society as a whole indirectly…
Greenspan's fight
ARTICLE - Last week, the Federal Reserve decided to blow, once again, into the flapping sails of the US economy. The puncturing of the bubble economy continues to create fierce headwinds. Further interest rate cuts - perhaps more unorthodox measures -…
Greenspan: Economy has hit 'soft patch'
US - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Wednesday the U.S. economy was weighed down by worry over possible war and falling stock prices but not by dangerous imbalances that tended to herald recession.
Gramlich on smart growth, at the Cleveland Fed
SPEECH - In a speech to the Cleveland Fed Conference made on 7 November, Edward Gramlich of the Federal Reserve said the fundamental principle of smart growth is that development should be of a holistic nature. That is, rather than just paying attention…
Bies on effective accounting and disclosure
SPEECH - In the speech 'Effective Accounting and Disclosure for Financial Transactions and Financial Institutions' made on 7 November, Susan Bies of the Federal Reserve said a restoration of public confidence in the U.S. capital markets has begun, but…