WASHINGTON — When the Federal Reserve meets this week, it’s likely to affirm a message it intends to help lift the economy: that consumers and businesses will be able to borrow cheaply well into the future — even after unemployment ...

Tagged with: Economy Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is wrapping up 2012 the way it began the year, searching for ways to help a U.S. economy that is still struggling with high unemployment and sub-par growth. The expectation is that the Fed will ...

Tagged with: Economy Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is improving only moderately and still needs its support to help lower unemployment. The Fed took no new action after a two-day policy meeting. It wants time to assess ...

Tagged with: Economy Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve structured its latest stimulus program around the purchase of mortgage bonds after members agreed that helping a nascent housing recovery was a good way to lift the broader economy. Minutes of the Fed’s Sept. 12-13 ...

Tagged with: Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke offered a sharp defense Monday of the Federal Reserve’s bold policies to stimulate the weak economy, while cautioning Congress to respect its private discussions.   The Fed needs to drive down borrowing rates because the ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke Economy Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — If the world’s investors are right, the Federal Reserve is about to take a bold new step to try to invigorate the U.S. economy.   And many expect the Fed to unleash its most potent weapon: a third ...

Tagged with: Economy Federal Reserve

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Chairman Ben Bernanke made clear Friday that the Federal Reserve will do more to boost the economy because of high U.S. unemployment and an economic recovery that remains “far from satisfactory.” He also argued that the ...

Tagged with: Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — U.S. community banks are gaining strength even though the economy is improving only moderately, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday. The Fed chief delivered prerecorded remarks on a video monitor before a convention of community bankers in ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke Economy Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve sketched a mildly brighter view of the economy Tuesday after a burst of hiring since its last meeting in January. It took no further steps to aid the recovery and repeated its plan to keep ...

Tagged with: Economy Federal Reserve interest rates

WASHINGTON — Four major U.S. banks failed to show they have enough capital to survive another serious downturn, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday. The list included Citigroup, the nation’s third-largest bank. The Fed said 15 of the19 major banks tested ...

Tagged with: Banks Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Wednesday that the economy has performed better in recent months than the Federal Reserve had expected. If the trend continues, he said the Fed might have to reassess its outlook for a slow ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke Economy Federal Reserve rates

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is urging senators to resolve debates over tax cuts that expire this month and at the end of the year, saying uncertainty around both could slow the economy. Bernanke tells a Senate panel ...

Tagged with: Budget Federal Reserve tax cuts