Home >> Tag Archives: Ben S. Bernanke

Tag Archives: Ben S. Bernanke

Departing Fed Chair Talks Economic Health, Defends Policies

In a conversation Thursday hosted by the Brookings Institution, outgoing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke defended the Fed's easy money policies, dismissing concerns of out of control inflation and capital losses. He also eased worries about the long-term effects of the financial crisis--including the impact of unemployment on labor supply and productivity--saying that while they are a problem, none of issues are "truly permanent."

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Economy Grows at ‘Modest to Moderate’ Pace with ‘Cautious Optimism’

Fed

Sentiment is "cautiously optimistic" surrounding the future of the nation's economy, although the federal government shutdown was cause for some concern, according to the Federal Reserve's Beige Book released Wednesday. Revealing economic conditions in each of the Federal Reserve's 12 districts, the report found "modest to moderate" economic expansion over the reporting period from August 27 through October 7. Reports of the housing market were generally positive, with most markets growing--or at least not faltering.

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Initial Unemployment Claims Continue to Drop

Unemployment

Continuing the drop in first-time claims for unemployment insurance, initial filings fell 5,000 for the week ending September 21 to 305,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists had expected the number of claims to jump up to 330,000 from the 309,000 originally reported for the week ending September 14. The number of filings for that week was revised up to 310,000.

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FOMC Votes No Change in Policy, Foresees Slower Growth

Fed

While noting improvement in economic activity and labor market conditions, the Federal Open Market Committee voted Wednesday to continue its policy of near-zero interest rates and its $85-billion-per-month bond-buying program. At the same time, the Federal Reserve's own economic projections suggested the economy might not grow this year as fast as it expected just three months ago.

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WL Ross Vice Chair Talks Shop on GSEs and Housing Lessons

James B. Lockhart III, vice chairman of WL Ross & Co. and former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, addressed a packed house at the inaugural Investment Symposium at the 10th Annual Five Star Conference and Expo. Lockhart's speech wound through many of today's biggest topics, including the current movement to dissolve the GSEs. He also praised Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke's leadership during the crisis, saying Bernanke's efforts to move the economy have been largely successful.

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Commentary: Summers Time?

The choice of the new Fed chair takes on added significance given the Fed's relationship with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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