By Howard Schneider and Ann Saphir

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The historically routine process of reappointing the Federal Reserve’s 12 regional bank presidents is being watched for signs of becoming the newest challenge to the U.S. central bank’s independence, as President Donald Trump seeks more influence over interest rates and other policies.

The twice-a-decade proceeding ordinarily occurs without controversy and produces the same result: The regional bank chiefs are reappointed by a majority of the Fed’s Board of Governors in Washington.

But the surprise retirement announcement on Wednesday by Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, not long after the reappointment vetting had started, has cast fresh light on the process, coming as it does just two months after Trump moved to boost his sw

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