ECONOMICS (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The reserve ratio is the portion of reservable liabilities that commercial banks must hold onto, rather than lend out or invest. This is a requirement determined by the country’s central bank, which in the United States is the Federal Reserve. It is also known as the cash reserve ratio.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Federal Reserve requires banks and other depository institutions to hold a minimum level of reserves against their liabilities. Currently, the marginal reserve requirement equals 10 percent of a bank’s demand and checking deposits.

Detailed explanation-3: -This amount is called the reserve requirement, and it is the rate that banks must keep in reserve and are not allowed to lend. The Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors sets the requirement as well as the interest rate banks get paid on excess reserves.

Detailed explanation-4: -The required reserve ratio can be calculated by simply dividing the amount of money a bank is required to hold in reserve by the amount of money it has on deposit. For example, if a bank has $10 million in deposits and $500, 000 are required to be held in reserve, then the required reserve ratio would be 1/20 or 5%.