Top US female financial official tipped for job at Federal Reserve

President Barack Obama's administration has been criticized for having too few women in top jobs, but the White House's nomination of Lael Brainard to sit on the central bank's board of governors may alleviate some of that criticism. According to The Washington Post on Sunday, Brainard - who is the undersecretary of international affairs and a very visible member of Obama's economic team - has considered accepting the nomination to fill one of the vacant seats at the Federal Reserve. In her current role, she "has been on the front lines of the European crisis, pushing for tough requirements before debt-saddled countries are thrown financial lifelines," according to The Post. Meanwhile Obama is also looking to fill the position of Chair at the Federal Reserve, and many believe he will appoint a close former advisor - Larry Summers - to the post. Such a move, however, would mean bypassing Janet Yellen, the woman currently the vice chair at the central bank, and a favorite in government circles.