Fed Downplays Fears of High Consumer Debt
237289
U.S. consumers are in good financial shape, a top Fed official said on Monday, dismissing fears that high levels of household debt are unsustainable.
521836
The central bank acknowledged that its primary worry is an economic slowdown rather than rising inflation and it left open the possibility of additional rate reductions.
733447
A jump in consumer inflation raised concerns among investors about how much freedom the Fed has to continue a campaign aimed at freeing up tight credit markets.
90543
JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming  - The Federal Reserve will take the necessary steps to shelter the economy from turmoil in financial markets but will not bail out investors who made mistakes, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday.
541323
Faced with a strengthening economy  and scant signs of runaway prices, the Federal Reserve appeared  set to keep interest rates steady on Wednesday while keeping up  a verbal guard against potential inflation.
506813
Companies showed signs of shrugging off the caution that has enveloped the world economy since a credit crisis broke, as investors looked on Tuesday to U.S. data to gauge the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut.
522291
ST. LOUIS  - Stress in the subprime mortgage market does not look great enough to derail consumer spending, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President William Poole said on Friday.
470135
Recent credit market turmoil has increased downside risks for the economy, but the U.S. Federal Reserve would refrain from taking action to bail out investors who made bad decisions, top policy-makers said on Thursday.
333371
Ben S. Bernanke signaled that the Federal Reserve was not inclined to lower interest rates any time soon.
560608
The U.S. economy has come through its recent soft patch and the Federal Reserve still has some way to go to restore interest rates to more normal levels, Fed officials said on Monday.
685700
Federal Reserve officials on Friday  said falling home prices and financial market turmoil are big  risks to the U.S. economy but pledged that the central bank  would not shrink from taking bold steps to support growth.
99921
Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday  expressed concern about a possible U.S. recession but warned  that the central bank cannot let down its guard when it comes  to fighting inflation.
79497
The U.S. Federal Reserve on   Wednesday held its benchmark interest rate steady for a second   straight meeting, saying that while inflation risks remain,   they should abate as economic growth slows.
247262
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expressed confidence on Wednesday in the health of the U.S. economy despite a housing slowdown, but warned of risks to the current generally benign outlook for inflation.
199468
The record level of debt being carried by American households and soaring home prices do not appear to represent serious threats to the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.
243636
The record level of debt carried by American households and soaring home prices do not appear to represent serious threats to the US economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.
625609
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday declined to comment on speculation in financial markets that the U.S. central bank might cut the discount rate imminently.