"

Fed: regulation 1st defense against speculation

(AP) — WASHINGTON - Stronger regulation should be the first line of defense against excessive speculation that could send the U.S. economy into a new crisis, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Sunday.

But he didn't rule out higher interest rates to stop that from happening.

The Fed chief's remarks were his most extensive on the subject since the housing market's tumble led to the gravest financial crisis since World War II-and perhaps the worst in modern history, in his view.

More . . .

"