Federal Reserve System: A Case Study

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.

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

Why do a research paper on the Federal Reserve System? This is a question we went over in our heads while making a decision on the type of research paper to do, what we wanted to learn more about and why. 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

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 Federal Reserve exercises its power to stimulate stable employment economies and economic prices. The pursuit of the required employment rate and the creation of price stability, the Federal Reserve can increase or decrease the interest rate.

Describe the creation of the Federal Reserve System and its role as agent and bank regulator;

Simply put, the level of interest rates affect economic decisions at every level, whether by the individual consumer, or a major corporation, or entire countries. First, we must look at the residential and commercial real estate market. Homeowners had a golden opportunity to purchase or refinance their homes between 2008 and 2015, when 30-year rates were at unusual lows. (CITE) This was of particular help when many homeowners suffered through “underwater mortgages” on homes worth less than the mortgages owed. Refinancing at a lower interest rate ensured millions of afflicted homeowners would be able to reduce their interest payments during such a troubling economic period. (CITE) But given the Federal Reserve’s likely decision to raise rates, homeowners will be at a disadvantage. The most recent (as of 12/9/2016) average 30-year fixed

Rates on mortgages and other types of loans have been fairly low, creating more access to capital for businesses and making big-ticket purchases more affordable for consumers. If the FED raises the interest rate it will have several effects on the consumer. It will reduce their purchasing power and consumers shopping habits will be influenced. The decrease in purchasing power leads to a decrease in

If Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve President is planning on raising the interest rates the US Federal Reserve will have to deal with the negative effects on economic growth, unemployment, wages, the prices of goods and services, and government spending. The effect on economical growth will be how much individuals would borrow to increase their spending. Over time the money individuals took and have to payback would increase. Thus, leading to debt by how much money they owe back. By increasing the amount individuals have to borrow it will lead to more unemployment. The need of consumption will decrease and that put more and more people out of jobs. Scarcity is always going to exist but a low demand will cause supply to be low and price be

The inflation rate is still below the 2% target for the Reserve. Increasing the rates right now poses a risk since there could be deflation. The Federal Reserve should have waited until they achieved their target before making the changes. Even with low unemployment rates, the labor force participation rate is at its lowest and wage earnings are still below the recommended comfortable rate. Also, instead of increasing the rates, the Federal Reserve should have focused on other economic aspects such as increasing the down payment for purchasing assets. Financial bubbles would have been avoided through this current rate instead of raising the interest

How will Trump affect interest rates? Trump can improve the overall condition of the economy by guiding the

Higher interest rates are never a good idea for a growing economy because it can directly impact it. Higher interest rates can affect

Question 8. The Fed is the most independent of all U.S. government agencies. What is the main difference between it and other government agencies that explains the Fed’s greater independence?

At a basic level, raising interest rates go hand in hand with appreciating currencies. And in many parts of the world, the US dollar is used as a benchmark of current and future economic growth. In developed countries, a strong dollar is seen in a positive light. But circumstances are different in emerging economies.