The risk that the economy has entered a substantial downturn appears to have diminished over the past month or so.
BEN BERNANKEI served seven years as the chair of the Princeton economics department where I had responsibility for major policy decisions, such as whether to serve bagels or doughnuts at the department coffee hour.
More Ben Bernanke Quotes
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Developments in financial markets can have broad economic effects felt by many outside the markets.
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The Fed is totally open.
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If your uniform isn’t dirty, you haven’t been in the game.
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Importantly, in the 1930s, in the Great Depression, the Federal Reserve, despite its mandate, was quite passive and, as a result, financial crisis became very severe, lasted essentially from 1929 to 1933.
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With respect to their safety, derivatives, for the most part, are traded among very sophisticated financial institutions and individuals who have considerable incentive to understand them and to use them properly.
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The more important reason is that the research itself provides an important long-run perspective on the issues that we face on a day-to-day basis.
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Among the largest banks, the capital ratios remain good and I don’t expect any serious problems . . . . among the large, internationally active banks that make up a very substantial part of our banking system.
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It is not the responsibility of the Federal Bank – nor would it be appropriate – to protect lenders and investors from the consequences of their decisions
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Our mission, as set forth by the Congress is a critical one: to preserve price stability, to foster maximum sustainable growth in output and employment, and to promote a stable and efficient financial system that serves all Americans well and fairly.
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Nobody really understands gold prices and I don’t pretend to understand them either.
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The crisis in Europe has affected the US economy by acting as a drag on our exports, weighing on business and consumer confidence and pressuring US financial markets and institutions.
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We’ve never had a decline in house prices on a nationwide basis. So, what I think what is more likely is that house prices will slow, maybe stabilize, might slow consumption spending a bit. I don’t think it’s going to drive the economy too far from its full employment path, though.
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I am confident that we will meet whatever challenges the future may bring.
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I generally leave the details of fiscal programs to the Administration and Congress. That’s really their area of authority and responsibility, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to second guess.
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If you want to understand geology, study earthquakes. If you want to understand the economy, study the Depression.
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