WASHINGTON — Elizabeth A. Duke, a Federal Reserve governor, said Thursday that she would step down at the end of August.

Ms. Duke, the seventh woman to serve on the Fed’s board, is a former community banker who has focused primarily on financial regulation since joining the board in August 2008. She has also been a quiet but consistent supporter of economic stimulus campaign led by the Fed’s chairman, Ben S. Bernanke.

In a letter of resignation submitted to President Obama, Ms. Duke, 60, said that she was “proud to have contributed” to these efforts.

“I am especially gratified to have brought my own practical banking experience and community banking perspective to the massive overhaul of financial system regulations,” Ms. Duke wrote.

She did not offer a reason for leaving the Fed at this time, nor did she describe her plans. Her term actually ended last January, but governors can remain in office until a replacement is nominated.

Ms. Duke, a Virginia banker and former chairwoman of the American Bankers Association, was nominated to the Fed in May 2007 by President George W. Bush and joined the board the following year.

“Betsy has made invaluable contributions to the Federal Reserve and to the country during her five years at the board,” Mr. Bernanke said in a statement Thursday. “She brought fresh ideas grounded in her deep knowledge of the banking industry and the real-world dynamic between borrowers and lenders. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Ms. Duke’s resignation comes amid rising speculation about potential replacements for Mr. Bernanke, who is widely expected to step down from the Fed when his second term ends in January.

She used her resignation letter to praise Mr. Bernanke’s leadership.

“I would like to express my admiration for Chairman Bernanke’s courage and extraordinary intellect,” she wrote. “His considerable personal strengths proved to be invaluable during very difficult economic times.”

Ms. Duke and Mr. Bernanke are the last remaining members of the Fed’s board initially nominated by Mr. Bush, although Mr. Bernanke was subsequently nominated to a second term by President Obama.

Amy Brundage, a White House spokeswoman, wrote on Twitter that “President Obama is grateful to Elizabeth Duke for her years of valued service at the Federal Reserve.”

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/business/economy/fed-governor-to-resign.html?partner=rss&emc=rss