archive
NPR Ombudsman
Partisan Cliffhanging Over A Supposed Fiscal Cliff
December 7, 2012 Metaphors can be great for framing the urgency of a problem, but what do you do when the image isn't accurate? If you are the president or a Republican Congressional leader, you keep hammering with the metaphor anyway. It's all Ben Bernanke's fault.
Planet Money
The Fed's Other Big Power
September 13, 2012 The Fed has the power to create money. But it has another, critical power: The power of words.
The Two-Way
Housing Starts Hit Four-Year High
July 18, 2012 At an annual rate of 760,000, ground-breaking for construction of single-family homes, apartments and condominiums the pace rose 6.9 percent in June from May
The Two-Way
In 'Dour' Report, Fed's Bernanke Says Economy Has Decelerated
July 17, 2012 Though the central bank expects "moderate" economic growth in coming quarters, Bernanke offers a sober assessment of current conditions. But there is brighter news: Home builders say they're growing more confident about the housing sector's recovery.
The Two-Way
Economy Is Poised For More Growth, But 'Fiscal Cliff' Looms, Bernanke Says
June 7, 2012 The Federal Reserve chairman sees reasons for growth to continue. But he warns that automatic spending cuts and the expiration of the so-called Bush tax cuts threaten to derail the recovery.
The Two-Way
After Big Gain, Markets Look To Rise Again; All Eyes On Bernanke
June 7, 2012 The Federal Reserve chairman talks about the outlook for the economy this morning. Investors will listen closely for clues to the Fed's plans.
The Two-Way
Will Fed Chairman Bernanke Be Right This Time?
February 29, 2012 Five years ago on the last day of February, he told Congress the economy's fundamentals were strong. On this last day of February 2012, he predicted that inflation will remain in check.
The Two-Way
Fed: Economy Is 'Expanding Moderately,' But No Change In Rates
January 25, 2012 The central bank also says it likely won't be switching gears and nudging interest rates higher until at least 2014. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke concedes its longer-term forecasts are "a best guess."
Planet Money
In Search Of A Goldilocks Banking System
June 8, 2011 There's always a trade off in finance between safety and economic growth. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon square off.
The Two-Way
'Self-Sustaining Recovery' In Spending Is Taking Hold, Fed's Bernanke Says
January 7, 2011 But the Fed chairman says economic growth is likely to remain too slow to significantly boost job growth — and that the nation's unemployment rate will likely still be at 8 percent or above two years from now.
It's All Politics
Jon Stewart Busts Fed Chair Ben Bernanke On 'Printing Money'
December 8, 2010 Bernanke contradicted himself on the same news show inside a year regarding the Fed's "printing money." The central banker told 60 Minutes a year ago the Fed was printing money. Now he says it isn't — and blames it all on a myth.
It's All Politics
Fed Up! Bernanke (Gently) Takes On Critics
November 19, 2010 Bernanke said the Fed's $600 billion Treasury bond buywas just another way to do what the Fed does when it lowers key interest rates. The alternative, he said, was to risk more unemployment and economic woes in the U.S. and eventually the world.
The Two-Way
Bernanke Blasts Countries Who Keep Their Currencies Low
November 19, 2010 Speaking in Frankfurt the Fed Chairman bluntly criticized countries who keep their currency undervalued. He says any problems caused them by the Fed plan, are basically their own fault.
It's All Politics
Ben Bernanke In Political Crossfire Again For Throwing Money Around
November 9, 2010 Bernanke will appear to ignore political pressures since markets want him to appear independent.
The Two-Way
Bernanke: Too-Big-To-Fail Problem Will Fade
September 2, 2010 Fed Chair Ben Bernanke was optimistic that the too-big-too-fail problem will shrink because of market and regulatory forces. Members of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission weren't so sure.