BBC: US President George W Bush has called on worried Americans to trust in the government's series of interventions to fight the crisis in the banking system.
Global stock markets have behaved erratically despite a multi-billion dollar rescue deal to restore calm.
Mr Bush defended his decisions saying credit markets took "a while to freeze up" and would take a while to "thaw".
He spoke as figures released in the US suggested that the construction of new homes was at its lowest in 17 years.
According to the US commerce department, the building of new homes fell by more than 6% last month and was at its lowest level since the recession of 1991. >>> | October 17, 2008
Watch BBC video: President George Bush says the US rescue plan needs time to work >>>
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