Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve System

The monetary authority of the US, established in 1913, and governed by the Federal Reserve Board located in Washington, D.C. The system includes 12 Federal Reserve Banks and is authorized to regulate monetary policy in the US as well as to supervise Federal Reserve member banks, bank holding companies, international operations of US banks, and US operations of foreign banks.

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Federal Reserve System

The independent central bank that influences the supply of money and credit in the United States through its control of bank reserves. Federal Reserve actions have great impact on security prices. For example, restriction of bank reserves and lending ability in an attempt to restrain inflation tends to drive up interest rates and drive down security prices over the short run. Also called Fed. See also Federal Open Market Committee.

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Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve System, sometimes known as the Fed, is the central bank of the United States.

The Federal Reserve System, which was established in 1913 to stabilize the country's financial system, includes 12 regional Federal Reserve banks, 25 Federal Reserve branch banks, all national banks, and some state banks. Member banks must meet the Fed's financial standards.

Under the direction of a chairman, a seven-member Federal Reserve Board oversees the system and determines national monetary policy. Its goal is to keep the economy healthy and its currency stable.

The Fed's Open Market Committee (FOMC) sets the discount rate and establishes credit policies. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York puts those policies into action by buying and selling government securities.