Bernanke speaks today

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver a speech titled "Fostering Sustainable Homeownership" at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition Annual Meeting, in Washington DC. Audience questions expected. As head of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which is responsible for setting the nation's short term interest rate, Ben Bernanke is arguably the most influential figure in the currency markets. Bernanke is known to drop clues during his speeches, as it is the FOMC's tenet to keep the public aware of their monetary policy long before interest rates are changes. Heavy market volatility is often experienced during Bernanke's speeches as traders attempt to decipher his clues.