
The last two years have been quite volatile in financial markets. First, in the fall of 2008, it appeared that the entire global economic system was headed toward inevitable destruction as US financial institutions Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, and Lehman Brothers all collapsed in September of ’08.

The New York Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will buy about 18 billion US dollars of Treasury debt in nine operations from August 17 through September 13.

The United States Federal Reserve will try to push borrowing costs even lower if the job market continues to languish, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said, offering his clearest blueprint yet for possible additional monetary easing.

US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has warned that the outlook for the US economy remains “unusually uncertain”. In testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, Mr Bernanke said record low interest rates would still be needed to support economic recovery.

There are no representatives of the banking or financial services industry on the list of chairs and deputy chairs designated by the United States Federal Reserve Monday to serve on the boards of the 12 regional Fed banks for 2011.

The US economy is recovering after the global economic crisis, but consumers and financial institutions remain cautious as weak housing markets, high unemployment, and risks in Europe remain a concern, the IMF staff said in a press conference that followed its annual review of the world’s largest economy.

Lending to small businesses inn the United States is declining, thus making it more difficult to come to grips with the persistent problem of high unemployment, admitted Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

US President Barack Obama is expected to announce this week his choice of Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Janet Yellen as vice-chairman of the Fed Board of Governors, according to congressional sources.

The US Federal Reserve decided on Wednesday to leave interest rates unchanged saying the current recovery will not result in rampant inflation and anticipated exceptionally low level rates for an extended period.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said a failure to reduce the federal budget deficit may push up interest rates over time and impair economic growth, putting the recovery at risk.