United States
Fed's Guynn on strengthening economic foundation
In the speech 'Now is the time to strengthen our economic foundation' given on 9 January Jack Guynn of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said the U.S. economy was on track for a third consecutive year of good growth in 2006, and it was essential policy…
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…
Boston Fed's Minehan on uncertainty
In the speech 'How should monetary policymakers cope with uncertainty?' given on 6 January, Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said the U.S. has entered a period in which Federal Reserve policy changes are increasingly dependent on…
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…
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…
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, Jan/Feb 2006
The latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for Jan/Feb 2006 includes the article "The Fed's monetary policy rule" by William Poole. The article "Are the causes of bank distress changing? Can researchers keep up?" says that since 1990, the banking…
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.
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.
Richmond's Lacker says rate decisions more complex
The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said Thursday short-term U.S. interest rates probably won't reach a plateau and then remain steady as financial markets now predict.
White House moving quickly on Fed vacancies
White House Spokesman Scott McClellan has said that the administration is moving "as quickly as we can" to fill the two current vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Richmond's Lacker on the economic outlook for 2006
In the speech 'The economic outlook for 2006' given on 21 December Jeffrey Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said the US economy appears set for a soft economic landing in which growth is solid, inflation low, and workers and businesses…
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.
'The Region' from the Minneapolis Fed, Dec 2005
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has published its regular magazine, The Region, for December 2005. The latest edition contains an article "Economic research and the role of the Federal Reserve in payments" by Gary Stern. It also carries an…
Krueger on IMF's role in the modern global economy
In the speech 'At the service of the nations: The role of the IMF in the modern global economy' given on 16 December Anne Krueger of the IMF said the Fund's mandate is as relevant today as it was when the Fund was established more than 60 years ago.
Adams says China lacks 'consensus' on yuan
The U.S. Treasury's top official for international issues, Tim Adams, said Monday 19 December that China's reticence at allowing a greater role for the market in determining the value of its currency may rest with political leaders who are yet to take a…
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.
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.