# European Central Bank Optimistic About Economy
The central bank will continue to offer liquidity to banks that have trouble obtaining short-term funds from other banks or in the money markets.

# Japan Offers a Plan to Invigorate Its Economy
Analysts said that the new stimulus steps announced by the prime minister and the further easing of monetary policy were too timid.

# Rethinking Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
With the economy still weak, borrowers may want to hold onto their adjustable-rate mortgages a little longer.

# Fed Expected to Outline Future Actions on Friday
Facing a a worrying low inflation rate and persistently high unemployment, Ben S. Bernanke may signal the Federal Reserve’s course in a speech Friday.

# Treasury Note Yields Fall Again on Economic Worries
The 10-year Treasury note yield, which is used to set mortgage rates, fell to 2.49 percent from 2.60 percent on Monday.

# The Customer Always Comes Last
Credit card companies have demonstrated their disdain for their customers. The Fed needs to press them to live up to the law.

# Inflation in Europe Rises to Highest Level in 20 Months
Economists expect price pressures to remain in check as growth slows in most areas.

# Rates Fall as Market Fears Economic Weakness
As governments try to bring down deficits, investors seem more concerned by the possibility of renewed recession.

# Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady
The Bank of Japan kept interest rates at 0.1 percent and stopped short of taking new policy steps.

# Fed to Meet, With Concerns on Deflation Rising
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday will face a key decision: whether to drop the idea that the economy is improving.

# Market Flexes Its Muscle to Push Rates Lower
Rates of all sorts — mortgage, Treasury, certificates of deposit — are being driven lower, and not by the Fed.

# Another Rate Increase Warning From Lenders
For the second time this year, lenders and market analysts are predicting that mortgage rates will rise.

# Trichet Offers Some Upbeat Comments About Europe
The European Central Bank left its benchmark rate at a record low, however, and its chief, Jean-Claude Trichet, noted that growth was occurring in “an environment of uncertainty.”

# No Fed Plans for More Economic Support, Bernanke Says
In a report to Congress, Ben S. Bernanke said that it would take significant time to restore the 8.5 million jobs lost in 2008 and 2009.