Fed's Schmid says central bank independence 'important'

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid on Thursday joined a near-unanimous chorus of his colleagues in offering support for Fed Chair Jerome Powell after he disclosed on Sunday a threatened indictment from the Trump administration and named it a pretext for pressuring the central bank to lower interest rates.

"I can't believe I didn't get a couple of questions about Chair Powell," Schmid said at the end of a question-and-answer session following a speech to the Economic Club of Kansas City. "I believe in my DNA that an independent central bank is very important to the nature of managing this amazing economy. But if you need resources, if you'd like more specifics, please reach out."