The 18-month recession that ended in June 2009 has so far cost more than $7,300, or about $175 a month, per person in lost consumption, said a researcher at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Per capita consumption is still 1.6 percent below its pre-recession peak, senior economist Kevin Lansing wrote in a paper released last week.

Fed officials are attempting to avert a repeat of the crisis that began with the collapse of the subprime-mortgage market. Using interest-rate policy to burst asset bubbles “may have a distinct advantage” over regulatory actions because “central bankers can deploy it against bubbles regardless of the regulatory environment,” Lansing said.

Starbucks reorganizes, eyeing global growth

Starbucks is realigning its top management to help drive its international growth.

The Seattle coffee giant said last week that it is dividing responsibilities for its business into three global regions instead of the current two, U.S. and international.

The company has appointed three of its executives to lead the three regions, which are Asia, the Americas and the combination of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says the company’s financial performance has never been better and this move helps maximize its opportunities in key growing markets such as China, Brazil and India.