Ben Bernanke stepped down as the chairman of the Federal Reserve in January. He told an audience in Chicago on Thursday that he has had trouble refinancing his home. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption
Ben Bernanke Ben Bernanke
The main branch of the New York Public Library in New York City. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption
Ben Bernanke is seen leaving his Washington, D.C., office on Jan. 31, his last day as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Janet Yellen smiles Monday before being sworn in as Federal Reserve Board chair at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. Charles Dharapak/AP hide caption
Janet Yellen, who is poised to move from the No. 2 to the No. 1 post at the Federal Reserve. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Janet Yellen during her confirmation hearing earlier this month. She's expected to win Senate approval to take over as head of the Federal Reserve. Brendan Smialowski /AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Janet Yellen is considered a top candidate to replace Ben Bernanke now that Lawrence Summers has withdrawn his name for contention for the Fed's top job. Robert Galbraith/Reuters/Landov hide caption
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., last month. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
A surge in prices at the pump fueled inflation in June. Jonathan Fickies /Landov hide caption
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. (2010 file photo.) Tim Shaffer /Reuters /Landov hide caption