Economic and Monetary Union
In order to enjoy the benefits of increased economic integration, 11 European countries formed the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and began using a common currency, the euro, on January 1, 1999. At the same time, each of the countries […]
The Federal Reserve in the International Arena
As the central bank of the United States, the Federal Reserve plays a variety of roles in the international arena. By influencing interest rates, the Fed’s monetary policy
The Discount Window
Federal Reserve Banks lend funds to depository institutions at the discount window. All depository institutions that maintain transaction accounts or nonpersonal time deposits subject to reserve requirements are
Federal Funds
Fed funds are unsecured loans of reserve balances at Federal Reserve Banks between depository institutions. Banks keep reserve balances at the Federal Reserve Banks to meet their reserve
Open Market Operations
Open market operations are one of three basic tools used by the Federal Reserve to reach its monetary policy objectives. The other tools are changing the terms and
Primary Dealers
Primary dealers are banks and securities broker-dealers that trade in U.S. Government securities with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On behalf of the Federal Reserve System,
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Transactions
Among the tools used by the Federal Reserve System to achieve its monetary policy objectives is the temporary addition or subtraction of reserve balances via repurchase and reverse
Reserve Requirements
Reserve requirements are the portion of deposits that banks may not lend and have to keep either on hand or on deposit at a Federal Reserve Bank Reserve requirements,
Seasonal Borrowing
Federal Reserve Banks began extending seasonal credit in 1973 to help small depository institutions overcome strains placed on their reserves by seasonal pressures. Seasonal credit is one of
System Open Market Account
The System Open Market Account consists of the Federal Reserve’s domestic and foreign portfolios. The SOMA domestic portfolio consists of U.S. Treasury securities held on both an outright