Ben Bernanke’s confirmation to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman suddenly appeared in jeopardy on Friday even after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would back him.

Regulators shut down banks Friday in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, bringing to nine the number of bank failures so far in 2010, following 140 closures last year in the toughest economic environment since the Great Depression.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke encountered new Senate opposition Friday for another four-year term as the White House worked aggressively to keep his support from eroding further.

Ben Bernanke’s confirmation to a second term as U.S. Federal Reserve chairman suddenly appeared in jeopardy on Friday even after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would back him.

Investor optimism hits 2-yr high

Not long ago, Ben Bernanke appeared headed for easy confirmation to a second term as Federal Reserve chief due to his handling of the worst…

The deadliest earthquake in more than 200 years not only flattened homes and stole hundreds of thousands of lives. It also collapsed an economy that was nearly in need of life support before the tragedy.

The bull market that started last March has had three stumbles, including the latest three-day selloff that cost the Standard & Poor’s 500 index 5.1 percent.