Dollar advances on upbeat economic reports as Obama’s financial oversight plan sees skepticism

October 3rd, 2009 Obamas celebrate anniversary with dinner outWASHINGTON — There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House. Instead they kept it simple, with a dinner out Saturday night at an elegant, American-fare restaurant near Georgetown.

September 30th, 2009 Bernanke asks Congress to empower regulatorsWASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says federal regulators should be responsible for ensuring that the financial institutions they oversee don't become so big and unwieldy that their failure could bring down the economy. In testimony prepared for a House hearing on Thursday, obtained in advance by The Associated Press, Bernanke said Congress should establish a council of regulators to monitor large, influential firms like insurance giant AIG.

August 21st, 2009 Summary Box: Bernanke sees economy near recoveryWHAT HAPPENED?: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered his most optimistic view on the economy since the financial crisis struck. He said there's a good chance the economy will start growing again soon.

August 4th, 2009 Weak dollar, upbeat data support commoditiesNEW YORK — A weak dollar and more upbeat data on the economy is making a strong case for buying precious and industrial metals. Commodity prices are higher for a fourth day in a row as the National Association of Realtors says pending home sales rose in June by more than analysts had expected.

July 8th, 2009 Democrats skeptical of consumer protection agencyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's plan to create a new government agency to protect consumers from risky mortgages and credit cards ran into resistance from several House Democrats on Wednesday. House lawmakers who oversee the Federal Trade Commission said they were concerned the proposal would weaken the FTC and suggested that the commission be given more resources instead.

July 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama and his family are planning to go for a vacation to Martha's Vineyard next month, Democratic sources said.

June 24th, 2009 Frank endorses consumer-protection agencyWASHINGTON — House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank said Wednesday he supports the creation of a new government agency that would protect consumers from subprime mortgages and other high-risk financial products. The agency is a central component of President Barack Obama's broader plan to usher in a new era of regulations on banks and other financial institutions after lax oversight led to the worst economic crisis in decades.

June 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US legislators launched the first salvos Thursday in a looming battle to overhaul the country's regulation of the financial industry after one of its worst ever crises. Senators voiced skepticism about President Barack Obama's plan for strengthening the government's oversight of Wall Street, which was billed Wednesday as the most sweeping set of regulatory reforms since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

June 18th, 2009 Senate questions Obama's financial oversight planWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's plan to increase oversight of banks and other financial institutions ran into skepticism Thursday on Capitol Hill where senators sharply questioned whether it was enough to prevent another economic meltdown. The lack of a ringing endorsement suggests the proposal was headed for a rewrite by a Congress sensitive to voter frustration with the government's handling of the economy.

June 18th, 2009 Geithner defends plan to step up oversightWASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says it is clear that the government could have done more to prevent the economic downfall. In prepared testimony, Geithner says that gaps and weaknesses in the regulatory framework governing banks and other financial institutions "presented challenges" to the government's ability to monitor and address risky market bets.

June 17th, 2009 A look at Obama's plan for the financial industryA look at President Barack Obama's plan to improve oversight of the financial industry: —Creates a council of regulators called the "Financial Services Oversight Council" to monitor risk across the financial system. The council will be chaired by the treasury secretary and include the heads of existing federal financial regulators, the Federal Reserve among them, and representatives of new regulators.

May 8th, 2009 Gold moves higher as dollar falls, stocks rallyNEW YORK — Gold prices and other commodities are higher, buoyed by a falling dollar and an increasingly upbeat outlook on the economy. Positive news about banks' balance sheets has driven investors into stocks and other more risky assets and away from the dollar, which is considered a safe haven.

May 4th, 2009 Dollar falls on upbeat US economic reportsNEW YORK — The dollar fell against other currencies Monday as upbeat economic data drove investors into riskier assets. The dollar has been viewed as a safe haven during the global recession, but it is not a very lucrative currency to invest in, with U.S.

March 31st, 2009 NEW YORK - The Obamas are using their own money to renovate the White House, forgoing the 100,000 dollars in federal funds that is traditionally allotted to new presidents for such renovation projects. First Lady Michelle Obama''''s communications director Camille Johnston said that the Obamas, who are worth millions, will pay to overhaul the White House residence from their own pockets.

January 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Democrats in the US House of Representatives Thursday introduced an $825-billion economic stimulus plan that president-elect Barack Obama hopes will help revive the struggling economy. The bill would provide for $550 billion in job-creating investments over two years and $275 billion in tax relief, media reports said.