U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday the central bank would conduct more comprehensive reviews of banks and demand more reporting as part of efforts to tighten oversight following a damaging financial meltdown.

In his most detailed description of the Fed's role in the aftermath of the crisis, Bernanke, speaking at a Boston Fed conference, renewed support for the creation of a systemic risk oversight council.

(Reporting by Kristina Cooke, writing by Mark Felsenthal; Editing by James Dalgleish)

Ben Bernanke