In many spheres of human endeavor, from science to business to education to economic policy, good decisions depend on good measurement.

I am particularly pleased to see that the Bendheim Center for Finance is thriving.

Smart financial planning - such as budgeting, saving for emergencies, and preparing for retirement - can help households enjoy better lives while weathering financial shocks. Financial education can play a key role in getting to these outcomes.

Income inequality is troubling because, among other things, it means that many people in our society don't have the opportunities to advance themselves.

The Fed's independence is critical.

No economy can succeed without a high-quality workforce, particularly in an age of globalization and technical change.

Clear communication is always important in central banking, but it can be especially important when economic conditions call for further policy stimulus but the policy rate is already at its effective lower bound.

The lesson of history is that you do not get a sustained economic recovery as long as the financial system is in crisis.

The lesson of history is that you do not get a sustained economic recovery as long as the financial system is in crisis.

Many foreclosed homes are neglected or abandoned, as legal proceedings or other factors delay their resale. Deteriorating or vacant properties can, in turn, directly affect the quality of life in a neighborhood, for example, by leading to increases in vandalism or crime.