ECONOMICS (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Banks can borrow from the Fed to meet reserve requirements. The rate charged to banks is the discount rate, which is usually higher than the rate that banks charge each other. Banks can borrow from each other to meet reserve requirements, which is charged at the federal funds rate.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Fed can increase the money supply by lowering the reserve requirements for banks, which allows them to lend more money. Conversely, by raising the banks’ reserve requirements, the Fed can decrease the size of the money supply.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Federal Reserve uses open-market operations to either increase or decrease reserves. To increase reserves, the Federal Reserve buys U.S. Treasury securities by writing a check drawn on itself. The seller of the treasury security deposits the check in a bank, increasing the seller’s deposit.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Federal Reserve lends to banks and other depository institutions–so-called discount window lending–to address temporary problems they may have in obtaining funding.