U.S. Federal Reserve

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said it is important for banks to adapt to a changing regulatory environment. He said community banks will play a vital role since they are an important source of loans for small businesses. (Associated Press)

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RESOLUTE: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke recommends against deep spending cuts this year. (Associated Press)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke testifies on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington at the Senate Banking Committee hearing on the Dodd-Frank law, the sweeping financial reforms passed six months ago to prevent a repeat of the economic crisis. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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**FILE** Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke (Associated Press)

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Belgium's Kim Clijsters, right, and Kirsten Flipkens, address the media ahead of the Fed Cup World Group first round match Belgium - USA, in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke takes his seat on Capitol Hill in Washington Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, prior to testifying before the Senate Budget Committee. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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A chain blocks the historic entrance of the Federal Reserve in Washington, in this photo taken Nov. 4, 2009. The capital is a city of magnificent front entrances that people can't enter. On Constitution Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and Capitol Hill, sweeping marble staircases, sculptures, manicured gardens and ornate doors beckoned citizens of the past. Now most stand empty and sealed, a forbidden welcome. (AP Photo/Cal Woodward)

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Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke attends a Financial Stability Oversight Council meeting in Washington on Tuesday. (Bloomberg)

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Illustration: Federal Reserve by Linas Garsys for The Washington Times

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers his keynote speech at the sixth European Central Bank Central Banking conference in Frankfurt, Friday Nov. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Kai Pfaffenbach,Pool)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke

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BLOOMBERG Ben S. Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, speaks at the "Mortgages and the Future of Housing Finance" symposium in Arlington, Va. He said the central bank and other regulators are examining financial firms' home-foreclosure practices.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke advised Congress earlier this year to avoid big spending cuts now and rein in spending on entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare over the next five to 10 years. (Associated Press)

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In a Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Many will be looking to see if the Fed offers new clues about the timing of any new aid and what changes in the economy would trigger such a move after their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

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In this Aug. 13, 2010, photo, Duke Energy linesmen work on power lines in Charlotte, N.C. Output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities edged up 0.2 percent last month, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. It rose 0.6 percent in July. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, right, and Robert Zoellick, left, president of the World Bank, leave for the lunch break from the morning session of the annual Federal Reserve conference, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, in Jackson, Wyo. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, left, and Donald L. Kohn, governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, walk along the veranda of the Jackson Lake Lodge with the Grand Tetons in the distance, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at the start of the annual Federal Reserve conference in Jackson, Wyo. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, left, and Donald L. Kohn, governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, right, are joined by Kevin M. Warsh, governor of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, on the veranda of the Jackson Lake Lodge at the start of the annual Federal Reserve conference, in Jackson, Wyo., Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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In this March 25, 2010 file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Bernanke stepped up pressure on Monday, July 12, 2010, to get banks to boost lending to the nation's small businesses, a critical element to spurring the economic recovery and reducing unemployment.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)