federal reserve

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators are set to require big banks to keep enough high-quality assets on hand to survive during a severe downturn, the latest move under congressional mandate to lessen the likelihood of another financial meltdown.

The U.S. economy still isn't healthy enough to grow at a consistently strong pace without the Federal Reserve's help.

In her first weeks as Federal Reserve chair, Janet Yellen has made one thing clear: The Fed will keep all options open in deciding when to raise interest rates from record lows.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Wednesday that the U.S. job market still needs help from the Fed and that the central bank must remain intent on adjusting its policy to respond to unforeseen challenges.

The Federal Reserve is seeking to clarify when it might start to raise short-term interest rates from record lows.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen noted Thursday that recent economic data have pointed to weaker-than-expected gains in consumer spending and job growth. She said the Fed will be watching to see whether the slowdown proves only a temporary blip caused by severe winter weather.

Federal Reserve officials agreed at their January meeting that further gradual reductions in their stimulus would be appropriate as long as the economy keeps improving.

The Federal Reserve further backed off of its economic stimulus program Wednesday, reducing bond purchases by another $10 billion.

The Federal Reserve says it will cut its monthly bond purchases by an additional $10 billion to $65 billion because of a strengthening U.S. economy.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Stanley Fischer to be vice chairman of the Federal Reserve. Fischer is a former head of the Bank of Israel. He would succeed Janet Yellen, who's succeeding Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. Fischer is a dual citizen of the United States and Israel...