The dollar eased from a 2-1/2 month high versus the euro on Wednesday, while global equities, gold and government bonds were steady as investors waited for more clues on when the Federal Reserve might start tightening.

Banking shares, however, were in demand after sources said global regulators would give lenders a grace period before forcing them to implement stricter capital rules, easing concern banks would need to issue massive amounts of shares in the near future. Crude prices held at around $71 a barrel after snapping a nine-day losing streak a day earlier.

A rise in U.S. wholesale prices last month, which pushed up Treasury yields overnight, prompted speculation the Fed may have to account for these pressures in its post-meeting statement, though Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a letter to a congressman that inflation is not a problem.

The Fed is expected to stick to its super-loose monetary policy stance as high unemployment constrains policymakers' enthusiasm about the economy's recent improvement. The dollar flat against a basket of major currencies, with the euro up 0.1 percent at $1.455. The U.S. currency was up 0.1 percent against the yen at 89.81.

"The dollar has been moving higher on some expectations that the Fed might change its statement to suggest more rate rises over the next 12 months," said Marcus Hettinger, global currency strategist at Credit Suisse in Zurich.

The risk is that the Fed will stick to its usual statement, which may push the dollar lower later today.