BANKING AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Fed controls the supply of money by increasing or decreasing the monetary base. The monetary base is related to the size of the Fed’s balance sheet; specifically, it is currency in circulation plus the deposit balances that depository institutions hold with the Federal Reserve.

Detailed explanation-2: -The money supply and the monetary base are linked by reserves, i.e., vault cash and deposit balances held at Federal Reserve banks. While the Fed’s control over the size of the monetary base is complete, its control over the money supply is not.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Fed can influence the money supply by modifying reserve requirements, which generally refers to the amount of funds banks must hold against deposits in bank accounts. By lowering the reserve requirements, banks are able to loan more money, which increases the overall supply of money in the economy.

Detailed explanation-4: -Its core responsibilities include setting interest rates, managing the money supply, and regulating financial markets. It also acts as a lender of last resort during periods of economic crisis, as demonstrated during the 2008 financial meltdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detailed explanation-5: -Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, provides the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system.