Amid the steady drumbeat of bad news in the market for subprime mortgages, Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, maintained his soothing bedside manner this week.

He reassured investors on Wednesday that the pain for the broader economy would be limited. The vast majority of mortgages, even in the troubled subprime sector, continue to perform well, he said. Past gains in home prices have left most homeowners with equity in their homes, while employment and incomes remain healthy, so these mortgage debts should remain manageable.