Everything you need to know about the Federal Reserve

Many people have heard of the Federal Reserve, but few actually understand what it is and why it's important.

Why it matters: The Federal Reserve — the “Fed” — is the central banking system of the United States. Created in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act, the Fed was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. As an independent government agency, the Fed operates outside of the political system.

Go Deeper:

The Federal Reserve is responsible for a range of functions, including:

1. Conducting monetary policy
2. Supervising and regulating banks and other financial institutions
3. Maintaining the stability of the financial system
4. Providing financial services to the U.S. government

Why is the Federal Reserve important?

The Federal Reserve plays a critical role in the U.S. economy. The decisions the Fed makes can have a significant impact on financial markets and the broader economy. Here are a few reasons that matters:

1. Monetary policy. The Fed has the power to influence the money supply and interest rates in the economy through monetary policy. By adjusting the federal funds rate — the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans — the Fed can influence the cost of borrowing and spending in the economy.
2. Regulation and supervision. The Fed is responsible for supervising and regulating banks and other financial institutions to ensure that they operate in a safe and sound manner, which helps to maintain the stability of the financial system and prevent financial crises.
3. Financial services. The Fed provides a range of financial services to the U.S. government, including managing the government's accounts, processing payments, and issuing and redeeming government securities.
4. Research and analysis. The Federal Reserve conducts research and analysis on the U.S. economy and financial markets, which helps to inform its decision-making and provide insights to policymakers and the public.

What are the tools of monetary policy?

The Federal Reserve uses a range of tools to implement its monetary policy. A few key tools include:

1. Open market operations. The Fed buys and sells U.S. government securities in the open market to influence the money supply and interest rates. When the Fed buys securities, it injects money into the economy, which can stimulate borrowing and spending. When it sells securities, it drains money from the economy, which can slow down borrowing and spending.
2. Discount rate. The discount rate is the interest rate that banks can borrow from the Fed. By raising or lowering the discount rate, the Fed can encourage or discourage banks from borrowing money and lending it out to businesses and consumers.
3. Reserve requirements. Banks are required to hold a certain amount of reserves, which are deposits that they keep at the Fed. By adjusting the reserve requirements, the Fed can influence the amount of money that banks can lend out and the amount of money in circulation in the economy.

What are the goals of monetary policy?

The Fed has two main goals for its monetary policy: to promote maximum employment and to maintain price stability. These goals are often referred to as the "dual mandate."

Maximum employment. The Fed aims to promote maximum employment by fostering a healthy and growing economy. By using its monetary policy tools to stimulate borrowing and spending, the Fed can help to create jobs and reduce unemployment.

Price stability. The Fed aims to maintain price stability by keeping inflation low and stable. Inflation is the rate at which prices increase over time, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in the money supply, changes in demand, and changes in supply. A moderate rate of inflation is generally considered healthy for an economy, as it encourages spending and investment. However, if inflation gets out of control, it can lead to economic instability and reduced purchasing power for consumers.

To achieve price stability, the Fed uses a variety of tools, including setting interest rates, buying or selling government securities, and adjusting reserve requirements for banks.