Bernanke: Economy could grow soon; Fed chief thinks there's a good chance for the economy to return to growth in near-term -- bu

Bernanke: Economy could grow soon; Fed chief thinks there's a good chance for the economy to return to growth in near-term -- but the recovery can be slow due to continued high unemployment.
Fed Reserve Chair Bernanke said the U.S. economy is about to start growing again, although he cautioned it will be a slow recovery with continued high unemployment in the near term. Speaking in Jackson Hole, WY, he echoed a statement made by the Fed earlier this month, saying "economic activity appears to be leveling out, both in the U.S. & abroad." He went a step further though, indicating "prospects for a return to growth in the near term appear good." But the central bank chief warned problems remain in financial markets around the globe, & that with banks facing "substantial" additional losses ahead, businesses & consumers will continue to have trouble accessing credit. "Because of these and other factors, the economic recovery is likely to be relatively slow at first, with unemployment declining only gradually from high levels," he said. Fed watchers said they weren