Fed says it will provide sufficient money to nation's banks

AP Economics WriterWASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve, seeking to provide assurances that the nation's banking system will be protected following the terrorist attacks, said Tuesday it stood ready to provide additional money to banks if needed.

"The Federal Reserve System is open and operating. The discount window is available to meet liquidity needs," the Fed said in a two-sentence statement.

The promise to supply additional money to the banking system was similar to a pledge that the Fed issued on the morning after the October 1987 stock market crash, when the market plunged by more than 500 points in one day of trading.