Obama, Fed Chief Agree U.S. Economy Gaining Strength

Follow a meeting at the White House, President Barack Obama said he and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke agree the U.S. economy is strengthening and growth must be increased to increase employment.

Obama told reporters that financial regulation legislation awaiting final congressional approval will provide certainty to financial markets and help consumers, Reuters reported.

Bernanke said in their meeting that he and Obama had a "wide-ranging discussion" about the economy and financial regulatory reform, which included international themes.

"What's happening around the world, markets ... affects us here in the United States, and it's very important for us to take that global perspective as we discuss the economy," Bernanke told reporters.