Federal Reserve Bank

The United States Federal Reserve System consists of twelve Federal Reserve Banks, each responsible for a particular district, and some with branches.

Related Topics:
United States - Federal Reserve System

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The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by the Congress as the operating arms of the nation's central banking system, are organized much like private corporations?possibly leading to some confusion about ?ownership.? For example, the Federal Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Federal Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Federal Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the system. The stock may not be sold or traded or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, limited to 6 percent per year. http://minneapolisfed.org/info/sys/faq/frs.cfm#3

Related Topics:
Congress - Central banking system - Corporations - Stock - Loan

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The dividends paid to member banks are considered partial compensation for the lack of interest paid on member banks' required reserves held at the Fed. By law, banks in the United States must maintain fractional reserves, most of which are kept on account at the Fed. The Federal Reserve does not pay interest on these funds.

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The Federal Reserve System was created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 which "established a new central bank designed to add both flexibility and strength to the nation's financial system. The legislation provided for a system that included a number of regional Federal Reserve Banks and a seven-member governing board. All national banks were required to join the system and other banks could join. The Federal Reserve Banks opened for business in November 1914. Congress created Federal Reserve notes to provide the nation with an elastic supply of currency. The notes were to be issued to Federal Reserve Banks for subsequent transmittal to banking institutions in accordance with the needs of the public.

Related Topics:
Federal Reserve Act - 1914 - Currency

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The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is located only a few blocks from the former location of the World Trade Center buildings. It has a gold vault 100 feet (30 m) beneath the street. That depository is the largest in the world; even larger than the legendary Fort Knox gold reserves in the mid-1980s. The gold is owned by foreign nations, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Its value is estimated at $25 billion. Free tours of the vault are available to the public.

Related Topics:
New York - World Trade Center - Fort Knox - Saudi Arabia - Kuwait

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