US central bank chief Ben Bernanke says the Federal Reserve will take more aggressive steps to boost growth if the economic outlook deteriorates significantly.
But he says prospects for a US growth pick-up next year appear to remain in place despite a sharp government cutback in the pace of second quarter economic expansion.
Mr Bernanke says the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank's policy body, is prepared to provide more financial support through unconventional measures if it proves necessary.