Despite progress, Bernanke sees 'considerable way to go' for economy to get back to health

WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggests the country faces a long road ahead to get back to good economic health.

Bernanke says the worst of the financial crisis is behind the nation. He says the economy is growing and that is an improvement after the deepest recession since the 1930s.

"But we have a considerable way to go to achieve a full recovery in our economy, and many Americans are still grappling with unemployment, foreclosure and lost savings," the Fed chief says in remarks prepared for delivery Monday in South Carolina.

It marks Bernanke's first public comments since a government report last week showed the recovery lost momentum in the spring.