President Barack Obama's nominee to become the new chair of the US Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, has become the first woman to hold the position.
Her appointment to replace Ben Bernanke has been confirmed by a Senate vote, the BBC reports.
Janet Yellen takes over the role in February. Photo: AFP
Fifty-six senators voted in favour of Ms Yellen with 26 opposed. Many members of the chamber were unable to attend the vote because of bad weather.
It was the last procedural hurdle for the 67-year-old before taking over from outgoing chair Ben Bernanke on 1 February.
Janet Yellen is the first woman to lead the central bank in its 100-year history.
Mr Obama said Americans will gain a fearless champion in Ms Yellen, who understands that the ultimate goal of economic and financial policymaking is to improve the lives, jobs and standard of living of American workers and their families.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Ms Yellen served as chair of former US President Bill Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers and was an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
