board of governors

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

A committee of the Federal Reserve charged with implementing monetary policy of the United States. It consists of seven members appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The chairman of the Board also serves as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Members serve for staggered, 14-year terms. The length of service is designed to give the Board as much independence from Congress, and therefore immediate political expediency, as possible. The Board makes an annual report on its operation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and its members serve ex officio on the Federal Open Market Committee.

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board of governors

1. An elected body composed of members of a stock exchange that oversees the affairs of the exchange.

2. A group of people appointed by the President of the United States to the Federal Reserve to oversee the nation's money system. Decisions by the board have great impact on the securities markets. See also Federal Open Market Committee.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott. Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.