Analysis : Federal Funds Rate

The main benefit of low interest rates is its stimulating effect on economy. The BoE can help start businesses spending on goods which helps the economy in the long run and can help consumers to spend more on durable goods. Also the consumers’ demand for products will increase. This will force the firms to try to meet the demands by hiring additional workers which in turn will reduce the unemployment rate.

Given its mandate to maximize employment and maintain price stability, the Fed took monetary policy actions in December 2008 to keep long-term interest rates at near zero (between 0.0% and 0.25%) to help stabilize and revive the U.S economy -- leaving no option for further interest rate reduction.

On the other hand, the reasons for increases of consumer expenditure and investment levels as mentioned above are only all valid if ceteris paribus is assumed. In reality, both factors of aggregate demand can be affected by multiple other external factors for example, consumer expenditure can be affected by the marginal prosperity to consume amongst consumers and therefore if this is very low then a cut in interest will see a minimal change in consumption and investment levels. In terms of consumers and firms if a large cut were to occur it would have a far superior effect in comparison to a small cut which could potentially have no impact. As well as this it can also be affected by the Income Elasticity ofDemand this means the responsiveness of the demand for a good to a change in

The discussion of whether the Federal Reserve should raise the federal funds rate is a highly contentious one. Members of the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) and academic economists disagree about what constitutes appropriate future macroeconomic policy for the Unites States. In the past, the Fed had been able to raise rates when the unemployment rate was under 5% and inflation was at a target of 2%. Enigmatically, since the Great Recession and despite a strengthening economy, year-over-year total inflation since 2008 has averaged only 1.4%—as measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (“PCE”). Today, PCE inflation is at 1-1.5% and has continuously undershot the Fed’s inflation target of 2% three years in a row. (Evan 2015) In the six years since the bottom of the Great Recession the U.S. economy has made great strides in lowering the published unemployment rate from about 10% back down to about 5.5%. In light of this data, certain individuals believe that the Federal Reserve should move to increase the federal funds rate in 2015 because unemployment is near 5% and inflation should bounce back on its own (Derby 2015). However, this recommendation is misguided.

When considering how to set interest rates, the Fed takes many things into consideration. Firstly, it pays attention to the economy and how well things are going. If the economy is performing well, the Fed will raise short term interest rates to check against inflation. This slows the money supply, as business are less interested in borrowing at the higher rates (bankrate). It also takes into account the unemployment rate. Low unemployment is a signal that the economy is performing at capacity, and could therefore be subject to demand exceeding supply. When

This report discusses the association between the Federal Reserve System and U.S. Monetary Policy. It mentions that the government can finance war through money printing, debt, and raising taxes. It affirms that The Federal Reserve is not a government entity but an independent one. It supports that the Federal Reserve’s policies are the root cause of boom and bust cycles. It confirms that the FED’s money printing causes inflation and loss of wealth for United States citizens. It affirms that the government’s involvement in education through student loans has raised the cost of a college education. It confirms that the United States economy is in a housing bubble, the stock market bubble, bond market bubble, student loan bubble, dollar bubble, and consumer loan bubble. It supports the idea that the Federal Reserve does not raise interest rates because of the fear of deflating the bubbles they have created in recent years.

The Federal Reserve System is the most powerful institution in the United States economy. Functioning as the central bank of the United States, acting as a regulator, the lender of last resort, and setting the nation’s monetary policy via the Federal Open Market Committee, there is no segment of the American economy unaffected by the Federal Reserve [endnoteRef:1]. This power becomes even more substantial in times of “unusual and exigent circumstances,” as Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act gives authority to the Board of Governors to act unilaterally in lending and market making operations during financial crisis[endnoteRef:2]. As illustrated by their decision making in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 Great Recession,

The United States government continues to attempt to control the stability of the economy through the monetary policies management of the United States money supply, being economically strong in the world’s economy is an attribute that the government continue to strive to maintain. Although theories leading to the Federal Reserve are controversial basic knowledge is important. This paper explores the monetary policies tools of the open market operations, discount rates, and the required reserve ratio. In the context monetary policies will be identified, explained, and the usages noted. Also highlighted is how the monetary policies are used to balance unemployment and high inflation. Monetary Policies plays a vital role in the upholding

The first tool the Federal Reserve has for influencing the economy is through the federal funds rate. This allows a change in interest rates which means that banks may have to pay a higher or lower interest rate to the Federal Reserve for borrowing money. If the rate is increased it slows down the economy because the cost for money and credit is increased as well, but if the rate is decreased the economy is more likely to grow because money then becomes more available for investment and growth. The second tool used to influence the economy is through the purchasing or selling of federal debt. Selling federal debt tends to slow down the economy because people are less likely to invest. Buying federal debt tends to help the economy grow by allowing

The federal reserve system creates economic growth and stability. Janet Yellen, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, stated in a speech at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia saying, “[The] Federal Reserve's goal [is] of maximum employment and price stability, and, as I will explain, there are good reasons to expect that we will advance further toward those goals.” This being said, fluctuations in the interest rate causes adverse condition. When the interest rate goes down, it increases the money supply by making money less expensive, which allows member banks to borrow more money. When the interest rate goes up it decreases the money supply by making money more expensive, which in turn discourages borrowing and spending, slowing down the economy. Continual rate changes affect the entire economy. High interest rates causes the government to be limited in creating programs without the aid of the federal reserve. During the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve established several facilities to provide liquidity directly to borrowers and investors in key credit markets. As the production of financial markets enhanced, the Federal Reserve eased down these programs. In the attempt to dispense entrance to short-term debt funding, the Federal Reserve System effectuate a variety of crisis management

The Federal Funds Rate is the interest rate that Federal Reserve uses to trade funds with banks. Changes in this rate can trigger a chain of events that can be beneficial or devastating to the economy. If a bank is charged a higher interest rate to trade money or take out a loan, then the increase will be passed on to their customers, causing them to pay higher transaction fees or more interest. Each month, the Federal Open Market Committee meets to determine the federal funds rate. This in turn affects other short term interest rates. The determining rate immediately impacts the rates at which banks borrow money and the interest rates the banks use to charge their customers on loans. If the rate raise is too high, then money flow drops

To stabilize the economy bonds are used which release money into the market. The responsibility of the Central Bank is to maintain the health of the banking system and regulating the purchase and sale of bonds. The interest rates are controlled to balance the markets. According to the Monetary Policy Report to Congress, “The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained a target range of 0 to ¼ percent for the federal funds rate throughout the second half of 2009 and early 2010” while representing forecasted economic decisions to rationalize low levels for longer times on the federal funds rate (Federal Reserve, 2010). Purchases were still being made by the Fed’s to result in improvements to the economy through focusing on mortgages, the real estate market, and the credit market. Predictions by the Federal Open Market Committee depicted low levels on the federal funds rates in early 2010 which would continue for some time while over time the economy would see growth, a rise in inflation, and a decline in unemployment. Feds were in agreement though they expected the recovery process to be slower. Purchases by the Federal reserve were slowed, “$300 billion of Treasury securities were completed by October” and “the purchases of $1.25 trillion of MBS and about $175 billion of agency debt” were suppose to be finished the first quarter of 2010 (Federal Reserve, 2010).

Over the past few years we have realized the impact that the Federal Government has on our economy, yet we never knew enough about the subject to understand why. While taking this Economics course it has brought so many things to our attention, especially since we see inflation, gas prices, unemployment and interest rates on the rise. It has given us a better understanding of the effect of the Government on the economy, the stock market, the interest rates, etc. Since the Federal Government has such a control over our Economy, we decided to tackle the subject of the Federal Reserve System and try to get a better understanding of the history, the structure, and the monetary policy of the power that it holds.

Low interest rates will also alter the behaviour of consumers, businesses and banks. One of which is excessive risk taking as credit is more accessible. Especially after the financial crisis when the economy is in recovery mode, individuals and institutions might take unnecessary gambles in order to recoup what they have lost. This will lead to a high credit bubble where people are unable to repay their loans. However, people might react differently. They might be more prudent with their money thus reducing the demand, which will lead to an economic decline. As human behaviour is not possible to quantify and predict accurately, this presents the government with a dilemma,

Lowering interest rates is an effective way to stimulate and improve the economy. When rates are lower, it is easier and more affordable to borrow money. This encourages spending and investment, both which help propel the economy forward.