United States
Greenspan goes out with final jab at inflation
The Federal Reserve's decision to increase interest rates again left open the possibility of another increase next month in a smooth handoff of the Fed policy baton from Greenspan to Ben Bernanke, this article published on Wednesday 1 February says.
Bernanke inherits an experienced Fed staff
Alan Greenspan's legacy includes a Fed full of battle-tested veterans who helped him calm the markets and steer the U.S. economy through September 11, the 1987 stock market crash, the international currency crises of the 1990s and two recessions,…
Ben Bernanke sworn in as Fed chairman
Ben Bernanke on Wednesday 1 February became the fourteenth Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, succeeding Alan Greenspan.
Fed raises rates, drops 'measured' stance
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4-1/2 percent. In its statement the FOMC dropped "is likely" and replaced it with "may," regarding further policy firming.
Comment: Bernanke's options kept open
Subtle changes in the wording of the Fed's latest monetary policy statement leaves new chairman, Ben Bernanke, with more wiggle-room than may have been expected. Markets will become very sensitive to incoming data and will look to Bernanke's Capitol Hill…
Bernanke becomes Fed chairman, but without a seat
Alan Greenspan celebrated his final day as Federal Reserve chairman with a lunch of grilled salmon and chocolate cake. He also received various gifts from his colleagues, including his boardroom chair.
Greenspan critics are off base on his legacy
As Alan Greenspan prepares to relinquish the Federal Reserve chairmanship on Tuesday 31 January, a cottage industry has sprung up questioning the strength of his legacy. Most of the criticism is off base, according to this article published on Monday.
Bernanke - Be tough, independent, raise rates
As Ben Bernanke takes over the reins at the Federal Reserve after his all-but-certain confirmation on Tuesday 31 January , Washington is bracing itself, according to this article published Monday, for the kind of noisy Fed transition it hasn't…
BoE's Nickell on monetary policy
In the speech 'Monetary policy, demand and inflation' given on 31 January Stephen Nickell of the Bank of England set out his reasons for wanting an interest rate cut this month and last.
Bush to nominate Lazear to head CEA
US President George W. Bush has picked a business school professor, Edward Lazear, to be the chairman of his Council of Economic Advisers, the White House announced late Monday 30 January.
Senate votes on Bernanke, FOMC meets
The US Senate is aiming for a midday vote on the nomination of White House adviser Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Senate leadership aides were quoted by Reuters as saying on Tuesday 31 January.
Fed will raise rates as Bernanke waits
The pending change in the chairmanship of the Federal Reserve won't stop the FOMC raising US interest rates by a quarter point when they meet on 31 Jan for the 14th consecutive meeting, according to this article published on Tuesday 24 January.
Comment: Talking points in January
January has been an eventful month in central banking circles. Debate intensified at the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan over their monetary policy frameworks, while the Bank of Italy and the State Bank of Pakistan saw new governors taking office…
Comment: Greenspan's legacy
As the curtains are drawn on the Alan Greenspan era at the Federal Reserve, the debate over whether or not the Fed should have increased interest rates to curb asset bubbles rages on. This debate misses the extent to which the Fed's actions may have…
Greenspan receives Dept of Defense medal
Outgoing Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, was presented with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service by US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Monday 23 January.
Bush nominates two to Fed board
The White House announced on Friday 27 January it was nominating Randall Kroszner and Kevin Warsh to fill two vacancies on the Federal Reserve's seven-member board of governors.
Report says Greenspan to set up consulting firm
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan plans to establish a consulting firm called Greenspan Associates in Washington after he leaves the central bank at the end of the month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday 26 January.
Cheney praises Fed's 'superb' performance
US Vice President Dick Cheney said the White House has no argument with the way the Federal Reserve conducts monetary policy, but said Alan Greenspan advised him along time ago not to comment on Fed policy.
Fed's Fisher on process of creative destruction
In a speech given on 19 January Richard Fisher of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said there is a dynamic tension in Japan today.
NY Fed's Geithner on global imbalances
In the speech 'Policy implications of global imbalances' given on 23 January Timothy Geithner of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said the massive and growing U.S. current account deficit presents a threat to the world economy and an eventual…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, December 05
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for December 2005, published 25 January, was +0.08, down from +0.59 in November. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index made small positive contributions, and two made small negative…
Merrill Lynch hires former NY Fed chief
William McDonough, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has joined Wall Street investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co. as vice chairman and special adviser to the chairman on business development, the company said Monday 23 January.
Time to judge the whole record of Alan Greenspan
According to this article published Thursday 19 January, Alan Greenspan was widely seen as giving his blessing to the tax cuts of 2001 - the beginning of the end of a solid decade of progress on fiscal discipline.
Comment: Geithner sounds a loud warning
For the second time this month New York Fed president and vice-chairman of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, Timothy Geithner, has publicly adopted a view on a major policy issue that differs substantially from that of incoming Fed chairman…