Federal Reserve System

Bank Holding Company
A bank holding company is an entity that owns or controls two or more banks or other bank holding companies. These companies must register with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, making them registered bank holding companies.
Board of Governors (of the Federal Reserve System)
The seven-member managing body of the Federal Reserve System, commonly called the Federal Reserve Board, which sets policy on banking regulations and the money supply.
Draining Reserves
Actions by the Federal Reserve System to decrease the money supply by curtailing the funds banks have available to lend.
Easy Money
Easy money refers to a state of the national money supply when the Federal Reserve System allows ample funds to build in the banking system, resulting in lowered interest rates and increased loan accessibility, which encourages economic growth and can potentially lead to inflation.
Eligible Paper
Detailed examination of eligible paper, including Treasury bills, short-dated gilts, acceptances by banks, and their role in maintaining liquidity and influencing financial institutions' portfolios.
Federal Funds (Fed Funds)
Non-interest-bearing deposits held at the US Federal Reserve System that are traded between member banks. The Federal funds rate or Fed funds rate is the overnight rate paid on these funds.
Federal Home Loan Bank System (FHLB)
A former system that provided credit reserves to savings and loan associations, cooperative banks, and other mortgage lenders, akin to the Federal Reserve Bank's function for commercial banks.
Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is a key committee within the Federal Reserve System responsible for setting short-term monetary policy in the United States. The FOMC is instrumental in regulating the money supply and influencing economic conditions to achieve sustainable economic growth.
Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the branch of the Federal Reserve System that determines the direction of monetary policy specifically by directing open market operations.
Federal Reserve Bank
One of the 12 regional banks that, along with their branches, constitute the Federal Reserve System in the United States. These banks play a crucial role in monitoring the commercial and savings banks in their respective regions, ensuring compliance with Federal Reserve Board regulations, and providing access to emergency funds through the Discount Window.
Federal Reserve Board (FRB)
The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, responsible for setting key policies, including reserve requirements, bank regulations, and discount rates.
Federal Reserve District
A Federal Reserve District is one of twelve regions created by the Federal Reserve System, each served by a regional Federal Reserve Bank. These banks provide various financial services, regulatory oversight, and economic research relevant to their specific districts.
Federal Reserve Notes
Federal Reserve Notes are paper currency issued by the Federal Reserve System (FED) and circulated by the Federal Reserve Banks. They serve as liabilities of the Federal Reserve Banks and constitute obligations of the U.S. government.
Federal Reserve System (Fed)
The Federal Reserve System (Fed) is the central banking system of the United States, created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. It regulates the nation's monetary policy, oversees the cost and supply of money, and supervises international banking through agreements with other central banks.
Federal Reserve System (FED)
The Federal Reserve System, established by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, is the central banking system of the United States, playing a crucial role in regulating the country's monetary and banking system.
International Banking Facility (IBF)
An International Banking Facility (IBF) is a banking service that allows U.S. banks to offer international banking services without being subject to certain domestic regulations. This facilitates eurocurrency lending activities and provides advantages akin to offshore banking.
Member Bank
A Member Bank is a financial institution that is part of the Federal Reserve System, including all nationally chartered banks and state-chartered banks that meet certain standards and are accepted for membership.
National Bank
A commercial bank whose charter is approved by the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency rather than by a state banking department. National banks are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to belong to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Nonbank Bank
A nonbank bank is an institution that provides most of the services of a traditional bank but is not a member of the Federal Reserve System and does not have a charter from a state banking agency.
Nonmember Bank
A bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System and is regulated by the banking laws in the state in which it is chartered.
Rediscount Rate
The rediscount rate is the interest rate charged to commercial banks and other depository institutions when they borrow funds from the Federal Reserve through its discount window.
Reserve Requirement
Understanding the Federal Reserve System's rule mandating the financial assets that member banks must keep in the form of cash and other liquid assets as a percentage of demand deposits and time deposits.

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