Federal Reserve Act of 1913

Federal Reserve Act of 1913

Federal legislation that established the Federal Reserve System.

---

Federal Reserve Act of 1913

Legislation in the United States that created the Federal Reserve System. Prior to the Act's adoption, the United States had been without a central bank since the charter of the Second Bank of the United States expired in 1836. This led to a number of panics, including several in the first decade of the 20th century, which led many to believe that a central bank ought to control American monetary policy.

The Act mandated the creation of between eight and 12 Federal Reserve banks 12 ultimately were founded to operate under the guidance of a Federal Reserve Board, whose seven members were appointed by the President. The Act gave the Federal Reserve System the authority to print money, a controversial measure at the time. It further required that all federally-chartered banks belong to the System and purchase a certain amount of stock in the Federal Reserve bank in charge of their particular regions. The Federal Reserve System was ordered to set the monetary policy of the United States, which it does by printing money, selling Treasury securities, and adjusting the discount rate and the fed funds rate. While the Federal Reserve Act has been amended more than 200 times since 1913, it remains the most significant law governing American finances.