ECONOMICS (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -If the Fed, for example, buys or borrows Treasury bills from commercial banks, the central bank will add cash to the accounts, called reserves, that banks are required keep with it. That expands the money supply.

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: -To increase the (growth of the) money supply, the Fed could either buy bonds, lower the reserve requirement ratio, or lower the discount rate. To decrease the (growth of the) money supply, the Fed could either sell bonds, raise the reserve requirement ratio, or raise the discount rate.

Detailed explanation-4: -The correct answer is a. When the Fed wants to increase the money supply, it implements an expansionary monetary policy. This type of policy includes the decrease of the discount rate, the purchase of government securities, and the reduction of the reserve requirement ratio.