The Federal Reserve System

1. The Federal Reserve System Chapter 14

2. Objectives • How did the Panic of 1907 affect U.S. banking? • What is the purpose of the Federal Reserve System? • How is the Fed organized? • What services does the Fed provide to banks? • How do economist measure the money supply? • Easy-money policy v. tight-money policy • How is monetary policy made?

3. Central Bank • Many of the founders were distrustful of a central bank • The Second Bank of the United States had its charter expire under Andrew Jackson. • No central bank was proposed again until the Panic of 1907

4. Panic of 1907 • Causes • No ability to expand the nation’s money supply • The system of pyramided reserves failed

5. Money Supply • Businesses and individuals competed for a fixed supply of funds available as loans • When these were not available, withdrawals were made from savings accounts • “Runs” on banks would occur.

6. Pyramided Reserves • Smaller banks deposit with larger banks who deposit with large commercial banks in New York, Chicago or San Francisco • Even small financial panics could cause serious “runs” on even the commercial banking houses.

7. Federal Reserve • 1908 – establishment of the National Monetary Commission • Federal Proposed the establishment of a new central bank • Reserve Act passed in 1913

8. Role of the Federal Reserve • Fed supervises member banks • Holds cash reserves • Moves money in and out of circulation

9. Characteristics of the Fed • There is no central bank. District banks carry on the policies • The government owns no shares in the Fed—Congress does have oversight • Only nationally chartered banks are required to join the Federal Reserve System.

10. Organization • National Level • Decisions made by the Board of Governors and Federal Open Market Committee • District Level • 12 separate federal reserve banks

11. National Level • The Board of Governors supervises policy and controls the supply of money • There are 7 members on the board. They are nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate and serve a term of 14 years. • The 7 members of the board and the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are permanent members of the FOMC. • The remaining 4 members are district federal reserve bank presidents who serve one rotating terms

12. District Level • 12 District Federal Reserve Banks each serving a particular geographic region. • There are 25 branch offices located throughout the country • All commercial banks are nationally chartered and belong to the Feds • Each district has a board of 9. • The federal reserve district elect 6 members (3 may be bankers). The Board of Governors appoint the remaining 3 members.

13. Federal Reserve Services to Banks • Services offered by Fed Reserve Banks making your banking easier • The Fed clears checks • 1. Mrs. Pacheco writes a check to Macy’s • 2. Macy’s deposits the check in their account with Bank of New York • 3. Bank of New York credits Macy’s account for the amount of the check and sends the check to the District Fed Reserve Bank of New York • 4. The Fed Reserve Bank of New York credits the Bank of New York and sends the check to Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco • 5. The Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco credits the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the value of the check and sends the check on to Mrs. Pacheco’s bank • 6. Mrs. Pacheco’s bank credit the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco and debits the amount of the check from her account

14. Loans to Banks • Federal Reserve Banks make loans to state or regional banks for the short term • Often small banks need loans to cover short term increases in withdrawals • Sometimes the Fed make loans to help in times of national emergencies

15. Services to Government • Serves as the Government’s Bank • Depository of Revenues • Provide a government checking account • Keeps records of deposits and withdrawals and conducts purchase and sales of T-Bills • Acts as advisor to the executive and legislative branches

16. The Federal Reserve acts as a “watchdog” over the 12 District Federal Reserve Banks • The District Banks have bank examiners who audit member banks to ensure proper procedures and an adequate amount of cash is available to depositors • Regulate bank mergers and charters of bank holding companies

17. The Fed’s regulate the nation’s money supply • Paper money is printed by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing • Coins are minted at the U.S. mints • New Currency is placed in circulation to: • Replace worn out notes • Increase the amount of money in circulation • The Fed’s increase or decrease the money supply by trading in U.S. Securities

18. Money Supply • Economist determine how much money is in circulation by several means: • M1 • M2 • M3 and L

19. M1 • The simplest of the measures • Considered in the measure are • All of the currency in circulation • All deposits in checking accounts • All Traveler’s checks

20. M2 • Is a broader and more encompassing measure of money • It includes everything in M1 and • Money market accounts • Money market mutual fund shares • Savings accounts • Certificates of Deposit that are less than $100,000.

21. M3 and L • These are the most inclusive of the measures • M3 include all aspects of M1 and M2 and • CDs over $100,00 • L include M1, M2 and M3 and • Savings bonds • Short-term treasury securities

22. Monetary Policy and Aggregate Demand • Fed regulates the amount of money and credit available. • Monetary policy effects the cost of credit via money supply • Aggregate demand is the demand for all goods and services

23. Easy Money Policy • Designed to expand the money supply. This will • Increase jobs, aggregate demand • This policy is used to aid the economy during a recession

24. Tight Money Policy • Slows business growth and stabilizes the economy • Inflation may develop if there is too much money in circulation • Higher interest rates, reduced aggregate demand, decreased money supply

25. Components of Monetary Policy • Open Market Operations • The buying and selling of government securities • FOMC makes the decision to buy or sell securities • The Federal Reserve Bank of New York handles the transactions • Selling – contracts money supply • Buying – expands money supply

26. Discount Rate is the interest rate that the Fed charges member banks • Adjustments are done to encourage or discourage borrowing • The prime rate is the interest rate that commercial banks charge their best customers

27. Reserve Requirement is the money that must be held by banks • It is a percentage of a bank’s total net transaction accounts • This percentage is on fluid accounts • The Fed can increase or decrease the money supply by adjusting the reserve requirement

28. The SEC can adjust the margin requirement to increase or decrease the money supply and investment • As the margin increases, investment decreases

29. Credit Regulation is the power to regulate consumer credit during times of nation emergency • This power was revoked in 1952.

30. Moral Suasion • The indirect method of the Fed exerting pressure on the economy • Done through direct appeal to banking, congress and the public • The Fed can change the lending policies of banks.

31. Policy Limitations • Economic forecasting • Used to develop monetary policy based on educated guesses • Time Lags • Period of time between forecast and implementation of policy • Priorities and Trade Offs • Monetary policy can fight inflation or recession • Lack of Coordination • Government agencies sometimes have agendas that differ from those of the Fed • Conflicting Opinion • Economists and government agencies often have different ideas about what will positively effect the economy