U.S. Federal Reserve

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington on Sept. 18, 2013. The Federal Reserve has decided against reducing its stimulus for the U.S. economy, saying it will continue to buy $85 billion a month in bonds because it thinks the economy still needs the support. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** In this Wednesday, July 17, 2013, file photo, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke taps the microphone, as he testifies before the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Economists and global investors expect the Fed to take its first step toward slowing the economic stimulus on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

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Off the List: Lawrence H. Summers, a leading candidate for Federal Reserve chairman, would have faced a bruising battle. (Associated Press)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke speaks at the National Bureau of Economic Research on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Cambridge, Mass. (Associated Press)

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In this Wednesday, May 22, 2013, photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke listens as he testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, before the Joint Economic Committee hearing on "The Economic Outlook". Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs. (Associated Press)