U.S. Federal Reserve

Belgium_Tennis_Fed_Cup_USA.sff.jpg

Belgium's Kim Clijsters, right, and Kirsten Flipkens, address the media ahead of the Fed Cup World Group first round match Belgium - USA, in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

Economy_Thir-1.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke takes his seat on Capitol Hill in Washington Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, prior to testifying before the Senate Budget Committee. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

BLOCK.jpg

A chain blocks the historic entrance of the Federal Reserve in Washington, in this photo taken Nov. 4, 2009. The capital is a city of magnificent front entrances that people can't enter. On Constitution Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and Capitol Hill, sweeping marble staircases, sculptures, manicured gardens and ornate doors beckoned citizens of the past. Now most stand empty and sealed, a forbidden welcome. (AP Photo/Cal Woodward)

20101123-184902-pic-755826264.jpg

Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke attends a Financial Stability Oversight Council meeting in Washington on Tuesday. (Bloomberg)

b1bacon.jpg

Illustration: Federal Reserve by Linas Garsys for The Washington Times

Germany US Bernanke _Thir.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers his keynote speech at the sixth European Central Bank Central Banking conference in Frankfurt, Friday Nov. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Kai Pfaffenbach,Pool)

20101117-210036-pic-727536216.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke

20101025-190932-pic-817401639.jpg

BLOOMBERG Ben S. Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, speaks at the "Mortgages and the Future of Housing Finance" symposium in Arlington, Va. He said the central bank and other regulators are examining financial firms' home-foreclosure practices.

20101020-204610-pic-924297547.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke advised Congress earlier this year to avoid big spending cuts now and rein in spending on entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare over the next five to 10 years. (Associated Press)

Fed Interest Rates_Thir.jpg

In a Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Many will be looking to see if the Fed offers new clues about the timing of any new aid and what changes in the economy would trigger such a move after their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Economy_Thir.jpg

In this Aug. 13, 2010, photo, Duke Energy linesmen work on power lines in Charlotte, N.C. Output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities edged up 0.2 percent last month, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. It rose 0.6 percent in July. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Financial Crisis Bern_Thir.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Bernanke_Thir.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, right, and Robert Zoellick, left, president of the World Bank, leave for the lunch break from the morning session of the annual Federal Reserve conference, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, in Jackson, Wyo. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Bernanke_Bone.jpg

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, left, and Donald L. Kohn, governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, walk along the veranda of the Jackson Lake Lodge with the Grand Tetons in the distance, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at the start of the annual Federal Reserve conference in Jackson, Wyo. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Bernanke_Thir.jpg

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, left, and Donald L. Kohn, governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, right, are joined by Kevin M. Warsh, governor of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, on the veranda of the Jackson Lake Lodge at the start of the annual Federal Reserve conference, in Jackson, Wyo., Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Bernanke Small Busine_Thir.jpg

In this March 25, 2010 file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Bernanke stepped up pressure on Monday, July 12, 2010, to get banks to boost lending to the nation's small businesses, a critical element to spurring the economic recovery and reducing unemployment.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

obama_3380

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke (left) speaks with former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker before President Obama signs the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Fed_Economy_Lea.jpg

The Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Obama_Fed_Nominees_Thir.jpg

** FILE ** In this April 16, 2008, photo, Janet L. Yellen, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, speaks about foreclosures to the Bay Area Council Outlook Conference in Alameda, Calif. President Obama on Thursday, April 29, 2010, named Ms. Yellen to be vice chairwoman of the Federal Reserve and filled two other vacancies at the central bank whose decisions influence economic activity, employment and inflation. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)