WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a fresh signal Thursday that he’s in no rush to reverse course and start boosting interest rates. The Fed’s key bank lending rate is now at a record low near zero and will probably stay there for an “extended period,” Bernanke said in a speech to a Fed conference here.

While the Obama administration and reporters trumpet the fact that the administration is about a month early in reaching its stated goal of modifying half a million troubled mortgages (an accomplishment worth trumpeting), an important aspect is being ignored: last month, less homeowners accepted offers to modify their loans, according to Treasury Department figures released Thursday. Though the number of offers extended to eligible homeowners continues to rise, the number of offers accepted actually dropped, according to an analysis of Treasury Department data .

WASHINGTON — First it was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now concern is growing that another government mortgage giant might teeter, just as the nation’s housing market is stabilizing. A year after Fannie and Freddie were effectively nationalized, problems at the Federal Housing Administration are raising worries among industry executives and Washington policy makers.