We were looking for a reason why the markets began turning around Tuesday night and thru the day (Wednsday). Thomson released this article around 4PM, but obviously word of it had leaked out way before then. At this time, after Tuesday's large sell-off this type of news unquestionably has the potential to provide a real boost to the markets.
WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said he and his colleagues at the central bank are ready to give a jolt to the US economy if the current market turmoil spills over into the broader economy.
'The Fed is closely monitoring developments in financial markets' and 'is prepared to act as needed to mitigate the adverse effects on the economy arising from the disruptions in financial markets,' Bernanke said in a letter to New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, dated Monday and released today.In the letter, Bernanke also said that asset limits on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investment portfolios 'need not be lifted to allow them to accommodate new borrowers.'
The Schumer letter was largely a repetition of the points Bernanke made in his meeting last week with Senator Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat and head of the Senate Banking Committee.However, Miller Tabak analyst Tony Crescenzi said the 'most intriguing' part of the Bernanke letter 'was his idea for a public/private solution to the subprime problem.'The Fed chief suggested a collaboration to develop 'a broader range of mortgage products which are appropriate for low-and moderate-income borrowers, including those seeking to refinance.' Such new mortgage products could be put in place to help the thousands of homeowners facing 'payment shock' when their variable rate mortgages reset to higher interest rates and payments later this year and in 2008.Bernanke suggested Congress might allow the Federal Housing Administration to begin developing such mortgage refinancing options.
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