After speaking publicly at the London School of Economics on Tuesday-- his first speech since the Fed's decision to lower rates to 0.25% in December -- Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke held a 20-minute question and answer session that is available online.
During it, Bernanke makes a strong defense of the government's recent role in dealing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (natch), predicts job growth may return as early as late this year or early next and has an interesting exchange with an economist in the crowd about whether once again in-fashion John Maynard Keynes would support capital injections in banks over greater federal stimulus. (Bernanke dodged that one but said that while stability in the financial sector may not be "sufficient" to induce economy recovery but is "necessary.")
categories: Morning Report
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