Washington ? Signs are growing that an economic recovery may finally be taking shape, but with dangers still lurking about, Federal Reserve policymakers are all but certain to leave a key interest rate at record lows to make sure any nascent turnaround gains traction.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues are slated to wrap up a two-day meeting this afternoon, where they will take fresh stock of the nation’s economic and financial conditions. So far, barometers suggest the worst recession since World War II is ending, and that the economy has started to grow again — or will soon.

With the economy turning a corner, the Fed also will weigh whether consumer lending programs intended to ease the recession and stem the financial crisis should be extended.