
Jerome Powell was sworn as the 16th chairman of the Federal Reserve on what turned out to be a turbulent day for Wall Street, with the Dow Jones industrial average plunging by more than 1,100 points. Powell, 65, was given the oath of office by Randal Quarles, the Fed's vice chairman for supervision, in a ceremony that took place before stock trading opened on Wall Street.

Jerome Jay Powell, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, is about to become the most important economic policymaker in the world. At least that's how one senator put it at Powell's confirmation hearing in Washington on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump has said he will announce on Thursday his choice to lead the seven/member Federal Reserve board beginning in February. Jerome Powell, a Fed board member, is assumed to be the top contender and Trump anticipated that “I think you will be extremely impressed by this person”.

The US Senate confirmed on Thursday Stanley Fischer to be vice chairman of the Federal Reserve and approved Jerome Powell and Lael Brainard as members of the central bank's board, bolstering the Fed as it prepares to wind down its extraordinary stimulus.