The Federal Reserve System

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The Federal Reserve System The Federal Reserve System was founded by Congress in 1913 to be the central bank of the United States. The Federal Reserve System was founded to be a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary financial system. Over the years, the role of the Federal Reserve Board and its influence on banking and the economy has increased. Today, the Federal Reserve System's duties fall into four general categories. Firstly, the FED conducts the nation's monetary policy. The FED controls the monetary policy by influencing credit conditions in the economy. The FED measures its success in accomplishing these goals by judging whether or not the economy is at full employment and whether or not prices are stable. Not only does the FED control monetary policy by influencing credit conditions in the economy, it also supervises and regulates banking institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation's banking and financial system. The FED protects the credit rights of consumers. Thirdly, the FED maintains the stability of the financial system by controlling the risk that may arise in financial markets. Fourthly, it is also the Federal Reserve System's responsibility to provide certain financial services to the U.S. government, to the public, to financial institutions, and to foreign official institutions, including playing a major role in operating the nation's payments system. Before Congress created the Federal Reserve System, periodic financial panics had plagued the nation. These panics had contributed to many bank failures, business bankruptcies, and general economic downturns. A particularly severe crisis in 1907 prompted Congress to establish the National Monetary Commission, which put forth proposals ... ... middle of paper ... ...gional Federal Reserve Bank. Monetary policy regarding open market operations is established by the FOMC. Policy regarding reserve requirements and the discount rate is determined by the Federal Reserve Bank. Another role in which the Federal Reserve plays a major part is in the supervision and regulation of the U.S. banking system. The examination of institutions for safety and solidity - banking supervision - is shared with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which supervises national banks, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which supervises state banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System. The implementation of the Federal Reserve in 1913 was truly a great assett to financial and American well being. Without the Federal Reserve, we would have no agency to control monetary policy and push the economy towards full employement.

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