At the end of a two-day meeting by Federal Reserve policymakers last week, it was almost perceptible that the target range for the federal funds rate - which largely influence borrowing costs - would likely be kept between zero and 0.25 percent, with the objective of stimulating economic activity.

The zero-percent Fed financing decision would imply that the prime lending rate of commercial banks - the figures that determine the rates on home equity loans, certain credit cards and other consumer loans - will remain at nearly 3.25 percent, marking the record lowest rate in the past few decades.

In a statement, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that he and his colleagues were doing their best to support the economy. He added that though the Fed will "get through this process; it's going to take some patience."

Since December 2008, the target for the federal funds rate has been floored at zero, with the Fed endeavoring to get the economy moving, as the consumers retracted from spending and borrowing. Even though the economy has recently started showing signs of a turnaround for the better, the Fed policymakers opine that it is still 'fragile.'

Commenting on the situation, Brian Bethune, economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "The Fed will be guardedly optimistic. We're seeing initial signs of the economy moving toward recovery….but the underlying fundamentals are still weak."