2 Fed officials offer differing views on bond buys

[September 07, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two voting members of the Federal Reserve panel that sets interest rates expressed differing views Friday over when the Fed should reduce its $85 billion a month in bond purchases.

Esther George, president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, said that the Fed should slow the purchases after it meets Sept. 17-18. She said she could support an initial reduction of $15 billion a month.

"It is time to begin a gradual -- and predictable -- normalization of policy," she said in a speech in Omaha, Neb.

But Charles Evans, president of the Chicago Fed, said that he wants to see more data showing that the economy is gaining momentum. He also wants evidence that factors keeping inflation at ultra-low levels are temporary, during a speech in Greenville, S.C.

The Fed's bond purchases have helped keep long-term interest rates low, encouraging more borrowing and spending. The Fed has also kept short-term interest rates near zero since December 2008.

Evans spoke before the government issued a subpar August jobs report -- a report the Fed will weigh in deciding whether to slow its bond buying. George spoke afterward.

Despite wanting to see more data, Evans said the Fed could begin to reduce the bond purchases before the end of the year, if the economy improves. Those comments echoed remarks made by Chairman Ben Bernanke.

George has argued that the bond purchases have lost their effectiveness and are raising the risks of financial market instability and higher inflation in the future.

In her speech, George said that slowing the bond purchases will likely make financial markets volatile for a period of time. But she said postponing the move "won't ease the inevitable adjustment." She added taking action now with a "firm plan and clear commitment" would be a step toward the Fed's objective of sustainable growth.

The comments do not represent a change in positions for the two Fed regional presidents, both of whom have votes on the Fed's policy committee this year. Evans has been a supporter of the Fed's bond purchases. George has objected to them at each of the Fed's five previous meetings this year.

The Fed's policymaking committee will also meet in October and December.

[Associated Press; By MARTIN CRUTSINGER]

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