WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer prices rose slightly last month, as higher energy costs partly offset cheaper food. The small increase is further evidence that consumers are benefiting from mild inflation.

2. World Looks to Bernanke to Clarify Stimulus Plans - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Is the era of ultra-low interest rates nearing an end? That's the question – and the fear – Chairman Ben Bernanke will face this week when he takes questions after a Federal Reserve policy meeting.

3. US Wholesale Prices Rise 0.5 Percent in May - Monday, June 17, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A rise in food and gas costs drove a measure of wholesale prices up sharply in May. But outside those volatile categories, inflation was mild.

The Labor Department said Friday that the producer price index rose 0.5 percent in May from April. Gas prices rose 1.5 percent last month, and food costs increased 0.6 percent.

4. International Monetary Fund: US Economy ‘Gaining Ground’ - Monday, June 17, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy is on sounder footing than it was a year ago but is still being restrained by government spending cuts and tax increases, the International Monetary Fund said Friday.

5. US Factory Output Rises Just 0.1 Percent in May - Monday, June 17, 2013

U.S. factories barely increased their output in May after two months of declines, a sign that manufacturing is providing little support for the economy.

The Federal Reserve said Friday that factory production rose just 0.1 percent in May from April. Output fell 0.4 percent in April and 0.3 percent in March.

6. Unpaid Internships in Jeopardy After Court Ruling - Friday, June 14, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Unpaid internships have long been a path of opportunity for students and recent grads looking to get a foot in the door in the entertainment, publishing and other prominent industries, even if it takes a generous subsidy from Mom and Dad.

7. Mortgage Rates Rise to 3.98 Percent - Friday, June 14, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Fixed U.S. mortgage rates rose for the sixth straight week, putting the average rate on the 30-year loan just shy of 4 percent.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan increased to 3.98 percent. That’s up from 3.91 percent last week and the highest since April 2012. The average rate was last at 4 percent or higher in March 2012.

8. More Americans Quit Jobs, a Sign of Confidence - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – More Americans are quitting their jobs, suggesting many are growing more confident in the job market.

The Labor Department said Tuesday that the number of people who quit their jobs in April jumped 7.2 percent to 2.25 million. That's just below February's level, which was the highest in 4.5 years.

9. S&P Boosts Outlook for US Government’s Long-Term Debt - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded its outlook Monday for the U.S. government's long-term debt. S&P cited the government's strengthened finances, a recovering U.S. economy and some easing of Washington's political gridlock.

10. US Consumer Borrowing Up $11.1 Billion in April - Monday, June 10, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans borrowed more in April to attend college and buy cars and were a little less cautious with their credit cards than the previous month.

The Federal Reserve said Friday that consumer borrowing rose $11.1 billion in April from March to a seasonally adjusted $2.82 trillion. That's the 20th straight monthly gain and another record level.

11. Daily News Seminar Spotlights Financial Hot Topics - Monday, June 10, 2013

Craig Dismuke, the chief economic strategist of Vining Sparks IBG LP, opened his keynote address at The Daily News’ “Money and Markets” seminar Thursday, June 6, with a story that brought some insight into the wisdom that people – often erroneously – ascribe to experts in various fields, including economists.

12. Average Rate on 15-Year US Mortgage Above 3 Percent - Friday, June 07, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The average U.S. rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose above 3 percent this week for the first time in a year, while the rate on the 30-year fixed loan approached 4 percent.

13. AP Survey: Economists See No Stock Market Bubble - Friday, June 07, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A debate is raging among investors and analysts: Has the Federal Reserve inflated a stock market bubble by driving interest rates to record lows?

The answer, according to economists surveyed by The Associated Press: No.

14. US Regains Wealth Unequally From Recession - Friday, June 07, 2013

America as a whole has regained all the household wealth it lost to the Great Recession and then some, thanks to higher stock and home prices.

The average household still has a long way to go.

15. SEC Considers Tougher Rules for Money Funds - Thursday, June 06, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Investors could lose principal from money market investment funds that perform poorly under regulations proposed Wednesday by the Securities and Exchange Commission. But the change would affect mainly institutional rather than individual investors.

16. Survey: US Private Employers Add 135,000 Jobs in May - Thursday, June 06, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A private survey shows U.S. businesses added just 135,000 jobs in May, the second straight month of weak gains.

Payroll provider ADP said Wednesday that May's gain was above April's revised total of 113,000. But it's much lower than the gains ADP reported over the winter, which averaged more than 200,000 a month from November through February.

17. Safe Can Sometimes Become Risky - Wednesday, June 05, 2013

When is safe unsafe? Ever since the Federal Reserve began its zero interest rate policies, investors have searched for higher yielding assets. This makes sense. If you need income to run your household or make your pension distributions, you must locate investments that provide yield. If Treasury bonds will not, what will?

18. Take It From 30 Years of Experience - Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Ray’s Take I started my career as a professional financial planner 30 years ago this month. Just as I do with my clients every year, I think it is important to review what has happened, what has worked and what has not, in order to improve.

19. US Consumers Cut Spending 0.2 Percent in April - Monday, June 03, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans cut back on spending in April after their income failed to grow, a sign that economic growth may be slowing.

Consumer spending dropped a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in April, the Commerce Department said Friday. That was the first decline since last May. It followed a 0.1 percent increase in March and a 0.8 percent jump in February.

20. Balancing Act - Saturday, June 01, 2013

It’s past time to rethink the old 60/40 notion of investing, say a wide range of Memphis financial professionals, as the ground continues to shift beneath the feet of investors in this low-yield world of investing dominated by unprecedented action from the Federal Reserve.

21. US Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Rises to 3.81 Percent - Friday, May 31, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages jumped this week to their highest levels in a year, signaling slightly higher costs for homebuyers. But rates still remain low by historical standards.

22. Applications for US Unemployment Aid Rises - Friday, May 31, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 10,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 354,000. Still, the level of applications is consistent with steady hiring and remains near a five-year low.

23. Average US Household Far From Regaining its Wealth - Friday, May 31, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average U.S. household has a long way to go to recover the wealth it lost to the recession, a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis concludes.

24. US Banks Report Record Earnings for First Quarter - Thursday, May 30, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. banks earned more from January through March than during any quarter on record, buoyed by greater income from fees and fewer losses from bad loans.

The banking industry earned $40.3 billion in the first quarter, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Wednesday. That's the highest ever for a single quarter and up 15.8 percent from the first quarter of 2012, when the industry's profits were $34.8 billion.

25. Strong US Economic Data Push World Markets Up - Wednesday, May 29, 2013

LONDON (AP) — Rising home prices and consumer confidence in the U.S. pushed global stock markets higher on Tuesday as investors welcomed evidence that the world's largest economy is improving steadily.

26. Rising Home, Stock Prices Boost US Confidence - Wednesday, May 29, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are more confident in the U.S. economy than at any point in the past five years, thanks to surging home values, a brighter job market and record-setting stock prices.

27. Summer Travel Forecast: Better, but No Blowout - Monday, May 27, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – This summer, high rollers are flying to lavish hot spots for their vacations. The rest of us are driving to less luxurious places like nearby campgrounds.

The good news: At some U.S. campgrounds these days you get live bands, air guitar contests and chocolate pudding slip 'n slides.

28. Oil Falls Below $94 on Weak Outlook - Monday, May 27, 2013

The price of oil was knocked below $94 a barrel Friday by a combination of ample supplies and lukewarm demand.

Benchmark oil for July delivery was down 36 cents to $93.91 a barrel in midday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

29. US Durable Goods Orders Rise 3.3 Percent in April - Monday, May 27, 2013

U.S. orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rebounded in April, buoyed by more demand for aircraft and stronger business investment. The gains suggest economic growth may be holding steady this spring.

30. Fed Weighed Slowing Pace of Bond Purchases - Saturday, May 25, 2013

Several Federal Reserve policymakers this month favored slowing the Fed’s efforts to maintain record-low long-term interest rates as early as June – if the economy showed strong and sustained growth. But those officials appeared at odds over what evidence would demonstrate such gains.

31. US New Home Sales Up 2.3 Percent in April - Friday, May 24, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest the housing recovery is strengthening.

32. Between Economy and Trouble, Obama Approval Steady - Friday, May 24, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The economy is recovering, the White House is dealing with multiple controversies, and President Barack Obama appears generally unaffected either way.

He's getting no significant uptick in approval from gains in housing, jobs and the stock market. Likewise, he has so far seen no downtick from the recent storms over the terror attack in Benghazi, Libya, the targeting of conservative groups by the IRS and a leak investigation that has swept up the phone records of Associated Press journalists.

33. Applications for US Unemployment Aid Fall to 340,000 - Friday, May 24, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, a level consistent with solid job growth.

The less volatile four-week average ticked down just 500 to 339,500, the Labor Department said Thursday. That's close to the five-year low of 338,000 reached during the first week of May. The four-week average is 9 percent lower than in November.

34. Fed Weighed Slowing Pace of Bond Purchases - Thursday, May 23, 2013

Several Federal Reserve policymakers this month favored slowing the Fed’s efforts to maintain record-low long-term interest rates as early as June – if the economy showed strong and sustained growth. But those officials appeared at odds over what evidence would demonstrate such gains.

35. National Economy Headlines Seminar - Monday, May 20, 2013

The next installment of The Daily News’ ongoing seminar series will offer a comprehensive look at the state of the economy, with insight from a panel of thought leaders and a keynote from the chief economic strategist of Vining Sparks IBG LP.

36. US Factory Output Falls 0.4 Percent in April - Saturday, May 18, 2013

U.S. manufacturers cut back on production in April, as auto companies cranked out fewer cars, factories made fewer consumer goods and most other industries reduced output.

The weakness suggests economic growth may be slowing this spring.

37. US Consumer Prices Fall 0.4 Percent - Saturday, May 18, 2013

A plunge in the cost of gas drove down a measure of U.S. consumer prices last month by the most since December 2008. Excluding the drop in fuel costs, prices were largely unchanged.

The consumer price index fell 0.4 percent in April from March, the Labor Department said Thursday. The main reason the index fell was that gas prices plunged 8.1 percent.

38. US Consumer Prices Fall 0.4 Percent - Friday, May 17, 2013

A plunge in the cost of gas drove down a measure of U.S. consumer prices last month by the most since December 2008. Excluding the drop in fuel costs, prices were largely unchanged.

The consumer price index fell 0.4 percent in April from March, the Labor Department said Thursday. The main reason the index fell was that gas prices plunged 8.1 percent.

39. US Wholesale Prices Fall 0.7 Percent - Thursday, May 16, 2013

Sharp drops in fuel and food costs reduced a measure of U.S. wholesale prices in April by the most in three years. Outside those volatile categories, inflation stayed tame.

The producer price index, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, fell a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent in April from March, the Labor Department said Wednesday. It was the second straight monthly decline and the steepest since February 2010.

40. US Factory Output Falls 0.4 Percent in April - Thursday, May 16, 2013

U.S. manufacturers cut back on production in April, as auto companies cranked out fewer cars, factories made fewer consumer goods and most other industries reduced output. The weakness suggests economic growth may be slowing this spring.

41. Bernanke: Fed Increasing Financial Monitoring - Monday, May 13, 2013

The Federal Reserve has broadened its oversight beyond banks and now monitors a wide-range of financial institutions that could hasten another financial crisis, Chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday.

Bernanke said the Fed is still monitoring banks and other systematically important financial institutions. But it has widened its scope to include other important participants that could either trigger a crisis or make the system more vulnerable.

42. Outside Group Sends Warning to the Fed - Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Federal Advisory Council, a group of bankers that includes First Horizon National Corp. chairman and CEO Bryan Jordan and which advises the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, is concerned about several specific areas of the economy.

43. Outside Group Sends Warning to the Fed - Thursday, May 09, 2013

The Federal Advisory Council, a group of bankers that includes First Horizon National Corp. chairman and CEO Bryan Jordan and which advises the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, is concerned about several specific areas of the economy.

44. Employers Add 165,000 Jobs in April - Monday, May 06, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy showed last month why it remains the envy of industrialized nations: In the face of tax increases and federal spending cuts, employers added a solid 165,000 jobs in April – and far more in February and March than anyone thought.

45. US Trade Deficit Falls to $38.8 Billion in March - Friday, May 03, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in March for a second month as the daily flow of imported crude oil dropped to the lowest level in 17 years. The deficit with China hit a three-year low.

46. US Worker Productivity Rises 0.7 Percent in First Quarter - Friday, May 03, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. worker productivity barely grew from January through March after shrinking in the final three months of 2012. Weak productivity growth could prompt employers to hire more if consumers and businesses continue to increase spending.

47. Metropolitan Bank Earnings Up 43 Percent - Friday, May 03, 2013

Metropolitan Bank is starting off its fifth year by reporting another quarter of increased earnings – the 14th straight quarter in which that’s happened.

48. Fed Signals It Could Increase Stimulus - Thursday, May 02, 2013

The Federal Reserve is standing by its extraordinary efforts to stimulate the economy. And it signaled that it could increase or decrease the pace of bond purchases depending on how the job market and inflation perform.

49. Brighter View on Jobs and Pay Lifts US Confidence - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans are more optimistic the job market is healing and will deliver higher pay later this year. That brighter outlook, along with rising home prices, cheaper gasoline and a surging stock market, could offset some of the drag from the recent tax increases and government spending cuts.

50. Priced to Rent - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Local property management companies like Lubin Property Management LLC and Renshaw Property Management are capitalizing on the trend for young potential homebuyers choosing to rent instead of buy.

51. Capital Requirement - Saturday, April 27, 2013

In early April, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., joined a handful of other senators in drafting a letter in part about new rules of the road governing bank capital requirements.

That letter was sent to Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel Tarullo, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg.

52. New-Homes Sales Rise 1.5 Percent in March to 417,000 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. sales of new homes rose in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 417,000. The increase added to evidence of a sustained housing recovery at the start of the spring buying season.

53. Fed Survey: Housing, Auto Sales Lift US Economy - Thursday, April 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — A strengthening housing recovery and robust auto sales contributed to moderate economic growth across the United States in late February and March, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday.

54. JPMorgan CEO: 'Work to Do' on Controls, Compliance - Monday, April 15, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase, says that grappling with new regulations and strengthening internal controls are the bank's top priorities.

In a call with reporters Friday to discuss first-quarter earnings, he said that the bank would be aggressive in making changes, opting for quick decision-making over consensus building.

55. Minutes Show Fed Supports Stimulus Through Midyear - Thursday, April 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A majority of Federal Reserve policymakers want to continue extraordinary bond purchases to help boost the U.S. economy at least through the middle of the year, according to minutes from the Fed's last meeting released Wednesday.

56. Oil Price Changes Little Ahead of Earnings, Fed Report - Tuesday, April 09, 2013

The price of oil was little changed on Monday, as traders awaited the start of the quarterly corporate earnings season and the latest word from the Federal Reserve on the economy.

Benchmark oil for May delivery was up 41 cents to $93.11 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange in afternoon trading.

57. Housing Huddle - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Memphis Area Association of Realtors president Regina Hubbard got an unabashed response from the crowd at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre during the real estate group’s 2013 Residential Real Estate Summit.

58. Sales of New US Homes Slip 4.6 Percent in February - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sales of new homes fell in February after climbing to the highest level in more than four years in January.

Sales of new homes dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 in February, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. That is a decline of 4.6 percent from the January level of 431,000, which had been the strongest sales pace since September 2008.

59. Bank of Bartlett Continues Turnaround - Monday, March 25, 2013

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a so-called “prompt corrective action” order for Bank of Bartlett that was released last year and which at the time asserted the bank was undercapitalized.

Bank of Bartlett president Harold Byrd said at the time the family-run bank was already on the mend and that the Fed’s order was based on outdated information. Without explanation, the Fed announced within the past week its order regarding Bank of Bartlett, dated Jan. 30 has been terminated.

60. Average for US Jobless Claims at Fresh 5-Year Low - Friday, March 22, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid barely changed last week, while the average over the past month fell to a fresh five-year low. The decline in layoffs is helping strengthen the job market.

61. Fed Stands by Stimulus, Sees Stronger US Economy - Thursday, March 21, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy has strengthened after pausing late last year but still needs the Fed's extraordinary support to help lower high unemployment.

62. Look at the Facts, Not Rhetoric - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

CITE YOUR SOURCE. In human psychology, fear seems more legitimate than hope. Claims of “impending doom,” and “bursting bubbles” elicit fast emotional responses that seem impervious to critique. So many programs, speeches and advertisements prey on this phenomenon today.

63. Strong Auto Output Boosts US Factory Production - Monday, March 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A strong increase in auto output boosted U.S. factory production last month, the latest sign that manufacturing is helping drive economic growth after lagging for much of 2012.

64. US Consumer Prices Increase 0.7 Percent - Monday, March 18, 2013

A spike in gas prices drove a measure of U.S. consumer costs up in February by the most in more than three years. But outside the gain in fuel costs, inflation was mostly modest.

The consumer price index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent last month from January, the Labor Department said Friday. It was the biggest monthly rise since June 2009.

65. Mortgage Activity Slows in February - Monday, March 18, 2013

Mortgage activity in Shelby County began 2013 by shifting into a higher gear, but someone tapped the brakes in February.

Total mortgage volume countywide had started the year showing double-digit percentage growth over the same period one year earlier. But in February, volume was up just 1 percent over the same month in 2012.

66. Fed Study Supports Community Banking - Friday, March 15, 2013

A new study out from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis underscores one reason most banks in the Memphis area are smaller, community institutions.

67. US Household Wealth Regains Pre-Recession Peak - Saturday, March 09, 2013

It took 5½ years.

Surging stock prices and steady home-price increases have finally allowed Americans to regain the $16 trillion in wealth they lost to the Great Recession. The gains are helping support the economy and could lead to further spending and growth.

68. US Consumer Debt Up $16.2 Billion in January - Friday, March 08, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans stepped up borrowing in January to buy cars and attend school, while staying cautious about using their credit cards.

Consumer borrowing rose $16.2 billion in January from December to a total of $2.8 trillion, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. That's the highest level on record.

69. US Household Wealth Regains Pre-Recession Peak - Friday, March 08, 2013

It took 5 1/2 years.

Surging stock prices and steady home-price increases have finally allowed Americans to regain the $16 trillion in wealth they lost to the Great Recession. The gains are helping support the economy and could lead to further spending and growth.

70. Yellen Defends Fed’s Low Interest Rate Policies - Tuesday, March 05, 2013

The No. 2 official at the Federal Reserve said Monday that she does not see any risks at the moment from the Federal Reserve’s low-interest rate policies that would prompt her to urge that the policies be curtailed.

71. Changing Times - Saturday, March 02, 2013

After a four-decade existence, the Morgan Keegan name has been retired.

The announcement Raymond James Financial Inc. is dropping the Morgan Keegan name was made during Raymond James’ first quarter earnings conference call last month. Raymond James CEO Paul Reilly was giving analysts listening to the call an update on the firm’s acquisition of the Memphis investment firm last year and its integration since then.

72. Opposing Forces Cause Swirling Economy - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Remember Relative Value One by-product of the Federal Reserve’s loose monetary policy is the widespread positive returns that numerous asset classes have been able to experience. For instance, from March 9, 2009 (the closing low on the S&P 500), thru Dec. 31, 2012, the cumulative returns of the SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have been 128 percent and 127 percent, respectively. Whether your chosen investment was high-yield bonds or the 500 stocks in the S&P 500, returns have been identical since the bottom.

73. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Announces Changes - Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced some changes to its Memphis board.

Lisa McDaniel Hawkins, president of Room to Room in Tupelo, Miss., has been appointed to a three-year term on the board.

74. Blazing a Trail - Saturday, February 23, 2013

Susan Stephenson is one of the most accomplished and highly visible women in the Memphis business community. She is the co-founder of Independent Bank, the city’s second-largest bank as ranked by assets and one that largely steered clear of the mortgage mess that dogged competitors during the financial bust.

75. Fed Minutes Show Concerns About Bond Purchases - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Several Federal Reserve policymakers were concerned last month about the risks of the Fed’s efforts to boost the U.S. economy by keeping borrowing costs low for the foreseeable future.

Minutes of the Fed’s Jan. 29-30 policy meeting showed that some officials worried about the Fed’s monthly purchases of $85 billion a month in Treasurys and mortgage bonds. They expressed concern that the continued purchases could eventually escalate inflation, unsettle financial markets or cause the Fed to absorb losses once it begins selling its investment holdings.

76. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Announces Changes to Memphis Board - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced some changes to its Memphis board.

Lisa McDaniel Hawkins, president of Room to Room in Tupelo, Miss., has been appointed to a three-year term on the board.

77. US Factory Output Falls on Weak Auto Production - Monday, February 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. factories slowed production in January after two solid months of cranking out goods. The weakness mainly reflected a big drop in output at auto factories that is likely temporary.

78. Expert: Memphis Has Big Story to Tell - Monday, February 11, 2013

Memphis area commercial real estate brokers were not only brought up to speed on the latest numbers and trends Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Property Forecast Summit – they were also briefed on how to tweak their marketing strategy to recruit business by a former executive with the Federal Reserve.

79. Let’s Start a Currency War - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Prior to Nixon’s closing of the gold window in 1971, world currencies traded in value relative to the U.S. dollar, which was tethered to gold at $35 an ounce. Following the divorce, currencies began trading relative to the dollar, but the dollar in turn began trading relative to other currencies.

80. Mayor, Banks Revive Program Targeting City’s Unbanked - Monday, February 04, 2013

It started with a letter. More than two dozen of them, actually. Bankers from around Memphis got a missive from Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. in 2010 that solicited help from bankers like Joe DiNicolantonio, West Tennessee area president for Regions Bank.

81. Real Estate Leaders to Present Trends at Forecast - Saturday, February 02, 2013

Real estate leaders will offer their reviews and insights for the Memphis-area commercial market at the 10th annual Commercial Property Forecast Summit starting at 8 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre, 1801 Exeter Road.

82. Lender Processing Paying $121 Million to Resolve Claims - Friday, February 01, 2013

One of the biggest U.S. mortgage processing companies has agreed to pay $121 million to resolve states' claims that it wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes.

83. Fed Says Growth Pause Temporary, Keeps Up Stimulus - Thursday, January 31, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy "paused" in recent months because of temporary factors and reaffirmed its commitment to try to stimulate growth by keeping borrowing cheap for the foreseeable future.

84. Real Estate Leaders to Present Trends at Forecast Summit - Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Real estate leaders will offer their reviews and insights for the Memphis-area commercial market at the 10th annual Commercial Property Forecast Summit starting at 8 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre, 1801 Exeter Road.

85. Why Geithner's Treasury Leadership Proved Divisive - Friday, January 25, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has saluted the outgoing Timothy Geithner as one of the best U.S. Treasury secretaries ever. He's surely been among the most contentious.

Not since the Great Depression had an administration inherited so many grave financial threats at once. To many, Geithner deserves credit for helping steady the banking system and helping restore investor confidence. Yet his toughest critics say Geithner's policies consistently favored big banks over ordinary struggling Americans.

86. HSBC to Pay $249 Million to Settle Foreclosure-Abuse Case - Monday, January 21, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – British bank HSBC will pay $249 million to settle federal complaints that its U.S. division wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes.

87. Transcripts Show Fed Underestimated Crisis in 2007 - Monday, January 21, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve officials in 2007 underestimated the scope of the approaching financial crisis and how it would tip the U.S. economy into the worst recession since the Great Depression, transcripts of the Fed's policy meetings that year show.

88. US Consumer Prices Unchanged in December - Saturday, January 19, 2013

Lower gas costs offset more expensive food and higher rents to keep a measure of U.S. consumer prices flat last month.

The Labor Department said Wednesday that food prices increased 0.2 percent in December from November. Rents and airline fares also rose. Gasoline prices fell a seasonally adjusted 2.3 percent.

89. Fed Survey: US Economy Picked Up at End of Year - Thursday, January 17, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Holiday shopping, strong auto sales and a recovering housing market helped boost the U.S. economy from the middle of November through early January, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday.

90. US Consumer Prices Unchanged in December - Thursday, January 17, 2013

Lower gas costs offset more expensive food and higher rents to keep a measure of U.S. consumer prices flat last month.

The Labor Department said Wednesday that food prices increased 0.2 percent in December from November. Rents and airline fares also rose. Gasoline prices fell a seasonally adjusted 2.3 percent.

91. Shelby County Home Sales Up 19 Percent in 2012 - Monday, January 14, 2013

Shelby County had the most home sales recorded in 2012 since 2008 when the housing market started drastically declining.

There were 14,946 home sales last year, up 19 percent from 12,600 unit sales during 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. And industry professionals say the outlook for 2013 is continued modest improvement.

92. Oil Falls as Uncertainty Hits Energy Markets - Saturday, January 12, 2013

The price of oil fell Monday, hit by uncertainty about what the U.S. Federal Reserve might do with its bond purchase program and data showing the U.S. unemployment rate unchanged.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for February delivery was down 44 cents to $92.65 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

93. Federal Reserve Pays Government $88.9 Billion - Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Federal Reserve paid the federal government a record $88.9 billion in 2012. The central bank earned the money from the Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities it has purchased to drive interest rates lower and boost the economy.

94. Federal Reserve Pays Government $88.9 Billion - Friday, January 11, 2013

The Federal Reserve paid the federal government a record $88.9 billion in 2012.

The central bank earned the money from the Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities it has purchased to drive interest rates lower and boost the economy.

95. US Consumer Debt Rises on More Car, School Loans - Wednesday, January 09, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. consumers borrowed more in November to buy cars and attend school, but stayed cautious with their credit cards.

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that consumers increased their borrowing in November by $16 billion from October to a seasonally adjusted record of $2.77 trillion.

96. Oil Falls as Uncertainty Hits Energy Markets - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

The price of oil fell Monday, hit by uncertainty about what the U.S. Federal Reserve might do with its bond purchase program and data showing the U.S. unemployment rate unchanged.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for February delivery was down 44 cents to $92.65 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

97. Banks to Pay $8.5 Billion for Foreclosure Abuse - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ten major banks agreed Monday to pay $8.5 billion to settle federal complaints that they wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes.

98. Fed Minutes Show Some Concerns on Bond Purchases - Friday, January 04, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve policymakers expressed broad support last month for the Fed's plan to buy bonds to support the U.S. economy. But they differed over how long to keep buying bonds to drive down long-term interest rates.

99. Fewer US Banks Fail as Industry Strengthens - Wednesday, January 02, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. banks ended 2012 with their best profits since 2006 and fewer failures than at any time since the financial crisis struck in 2008. They're helping support an economy slowed by high unemployment, flat pay, sluggish manufacturing and anxious consumers.

100. US Mortgage Rates Decline to Near-Record Lows - Monday, December 31, 2012

The average rate on the U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage last week dipped closer to the lowest on record, a trend that is making home buying more affordable and also enabling more Americans to refinance their loans.