18 Jul 2013
Bernanke: Too early to say when tapering will start
FXstreet.com (Córdoba) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the Congress for a second day on Thursday. While the introductory statement remained unchanged, investors didn't get new insights from the Q&A session before the Senate Banking Committee.
When asked about the time the Fed will scale back its monthly bond-buying programme, he said "it's way too early to make any judgment" as the Fed wants to see sustainable improvement in labor markets. Bernanke also said he has broad support for his policy outlook through the Fed leadership.
"We've not changed policy. We are not talking about tightening monetary policy", Bernanke said. He added that none of what the Fed has communicated about winding down its bond purchases implies tighter policy in the foreseeable future.
Among other remarks, Bernanke said he doesn't see risks to financial stability from student debt, though he said it could have negative economic consequences in the long-term. "It is not particularly likely to cause any sharp instability of the sort we saw in the last few years", Bernanke said Thursday.
He reiterated the financial tightening that has accompanied the recent rise in interest rates is "unwelcome".
When asked about the time the Fed will scale back its monthly bond-buying programme, he said "it's way too early to make any judgment" as the Fed wants to see sustainable improvement in labor markets. Bernanke also said he has broad support for his policy outlook through the Fed leadership.
"We've not changed policy. We are not talking about tightening monetary policy", Bernanke said. He added that none of what the Fed has communicated about winding down its bond purchases implies tighter policy in the foreseeable future.
Among other remarks, Bernanke said he doesn't see risks to financial stability from student debt, though he said it could have negative economic consequences in the long-term. "It is not particularly likely to cause any sharp instability of the sort we saw in the last few years", Bernanke said Thursday.
He reiterated the financial tightening that has accompanied the recent rise in interest rates is "unwelcome".