Speaking at the City Club of Cleveland on Friday, Cleveland Fed President Sandra Pianalto (voter) said the current economic downturn is more serious that she had expected.
"At the moment, the signs point to a recession beyond just a 'garden variety' downturn," she said. "The length and severity of the recession will depend on how quickly credit markets return to normal. And there is evidence in some financial markets, such as inter-bank lending and commercial paper, that progress is being made."
To address the situation, Pianalto pointed to the Fed's stepping up of its open market operation, sharp interest rate cuts and government action to provide capital injections to financial institutions.
"The actions of the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury, international central banks, and other government entities have together helped to mitigate much of the potential damage to the global economy," she said. "Still, the turmoil has taken its toll, and today the economic outlook is decidedly negative."
Pianalto closed by pointing out that the United States has a history of navigating troubled times and that consequently, she remains confident of an eventual rebound.
By Erik Kevin Franco and edited by Nancy Girgis
©CEP News Ltd. 2008