Fed seems poised to spark lending by keeping interest rates low

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke may have declared the recession all but over. But he and 11 other fed officials meeting this week still have work to do in helping to loosen tight credit markets that threaten economic recovery.

In their meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, Federal Open Market Committee members will examine whether to leave interest rates at near-zero levels. It is largely believed that they will do just that in an effort to get credit flowing more freely. Fed officials are expected to release a statement at about 2:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday.