United States
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, May/Jun 2004
In the latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for May-June 2004, Fed economists Kevin Kliesen and Frank Schmid examine how announced changes in monetary policy actions and macroeconomic data releases affect the average rate of inflation that…
Fed ready to guard price stability says Greenspan
The Federal Reserve will do "what is required" to keep inflation under control if it transpires the forecast behind its view that interest rates can rise gradually is wrong, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.
Dallas Fed's McTeer: Topspin
In a speech on 'Topspin' given on 30 May, Bob McTeer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said we are all very lucky to be part of an economy still based largely on the economic and political ideals of Adam Smith and Thomas Jefferson. That ideal being…
Fed's Kohn on the outlook for inflation
In a speech on 'The Outlook for Inflation' given on 4 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said that the inflation in the United States will remain modest despite a hike in energy prices.
Greenspan nomination hearing will be 10 June
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will testify next Thursday, 10 June, before the Senate Banking Committee as it considers his nomination for a fifth term at the central bank's helm, the panel said on Thursday 3 June.
IMF's new MD Rato to assume office on 7 June
Rodrigo Rato, the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund, will officially start work on June 7, IMF spokesman Thomas Dawson said on Thursday 3 June.
Feldstein - The Next Greenspan?
As one of George W. Bush's key advisors on economic policy, Harvard professor Martin Feldstein helped design the President's tax cuts. He's working on a plan to overhaul Social Security. Could he be the next Greenspan, this article asks.
Fed's Bies on accountancy reform
In a written statement on IASB reform given on 3 June, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve strongly supports efforts to enhance the oversight activities of the IASCF and the standards-setting processes of the IASB. Such…
Fed's Bies on Bank Secrecy Act enforcement
In testimony on 'Bank Secrecy Act enforcement' given on 3 June, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve has expanded its anti-money laundering program "dramatically" in the last 10 years and urged U.S. banks to take steps to…
Greenspan says past no guide to future on rates
According to a letter released on Wednesday 2 June, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told a US lawmaker that looking at the past is no guide to predicting how quickly and aggressively the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
IMF's Krueger: Financial crises need fast response
Countries can suffer financial crises rapidly, requiring an immediate response, the acting head of the International Monetary Fund Anne Krueger said on Wednesday 2 June in San Diego.
Richmond Fed's Economic Quarterly, Spring 2004
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has published its Economic Quarterly for Spring 2004. The latest edition contains four articles including "Which price index should a central bank employ?" Many central banks give a high degree of prominence to the…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, April 2004
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index April 2004 increased sharply in April, to +0.64, from an upward-revised +0.23 in March. Each of the four broad categories of indicators that comprise the index made positive contributions in April, with production-…
Former Atlanta Fed President Forrestal dies at 72
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta announced on Wednesday, 26 May, the death of former Atlanta Fed President and Chief Executive Officer Robert P. Forrestal who passed away at 72. Forrestal served as Atlanta Fed president from 1983 until 1995.
Geithner: Perspectives on the US financial system
In a speech on 'Perspectives on the U.S. Financial System' given on 27 May, Timothy Geithner of the New York Fed said banking supervisors are engaged in a never-ending "arms race" with the increasingly complex financial system they are supposed to…
Fed says foreign central banks buying more US debt
Foreign central banks continued to be net buyers of U.S. debt in the latest week, the Federal Reserve said on Thursday 27 May, taking their total holdings to another record high.
Greenspan, his limo rides, and interest rates
The Republican central banker's visits to the White House have nearly quadrupled since Bush replaced President Clinton, according to this article. His visits lead to two intriguing questions, the article says. How involved is the Fed chairman in setting…
Fed Reserve Bank of Boston - Annual Report 2003
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. In the Feature Essay "Embracing Change" president Cathy Minehan looks at the payments evolution, new approaches to education, and managing risk - changes in the…
Fed Reserve Bank of Atlanta - Annual Report 2003
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on 20 May published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. Jack Guynn says the annual report explores how the Fed's grassroots foundation not only remains relevant today but actually enhances how the Atlanta Fed…
Phil Fed's Survey of Professional Forecasters
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia published its Second Quarter 2004 Survey of Professional Forecasters on 24 May. The participants in the second quarter survey see steady rates for unemployment and real GDP growth for the year. Their estimates for…
The extraordinary Greenspan
This editorial from The Washington Times says it is quite unlikely that the American and world economies would have experienced such good fortunes as they have over the past 20 years were Mr. Greenspan not leading the world's most powerful central bank…
Fed's Ferguson on economics and ethical behaviors
In a speech on 'Economics and Ethical Behaviors' given on 22 May, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said that acting morally and ethically pays dividends while not doing so imposes costly regulation on society as a whole. Economic outcomes are…
Fed's Gramlich on subprime mortgage lending
In a speech on 'Subprime Mortgage Lending: Benefits, Costs, and Challenges' given on 21 May, Edward Gramlich of the Federal Reserve said a relatively high rate of defaults on subprime mortgages raises warning flags, but expanding credit to those who…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, May 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, May 2004 activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to expand. Indicators for employment and prices received were up from their April readings, the survey…