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Most people are aware that there is a government body that acts as the guardian of the economy - an economic sentinel who implements policies designed to keep the country operating smoothly. Unfortunately, most investors do not understand how or why the government involves itself in the economy.
In the U.S., the answer lies in the role of the Federal Reserve, or simply, the Fed. The Fed is the gatekeeper of the U.S. economy. It is the bank of the U.S. government and, as such, it regulates the nation's financial institutions. The Fed watches over the world's largest economy and is, therefore, one of the most powerful organizations on earth.
As an investor, it is essential to acquire a basic knowledge of the Federal Reserve System. The Fed dictates economic and monetary policies that have profound impacts on individuals in the U.S. and around the world. In this tutorial, we'll learn about how the Fed is structured, find out who Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke are and talk about monetary policy and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) rate meeting.
The Federal Reserve: What Is The Fed?
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Insights
How Much Influence Does The Fed Have?
Find out how current financial policies may affect your portfolio's future returns. -
Personal Finance
How the Federal Reserve Affects Your Mortgage
The Federal Reserve can impact the cost of funds for banks and consequently for mortgage borrowers when maintaining economic stability. -
Insights
How Federal Open Market Committee Meetings Drive Rates And Stocks
Janet Yellen's first Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting - and its aftermath - is an important bellwether for the immediate future of the U.S. economy. -
Trading
Why Interest Rates Have Been Low for So Long
Learn of several competing explanations about why the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates so low in the United States since 2008. -
Insights
Janet Yellen Vs. Alan Greenspan: Who Is The Better Fed Head?
We examine how these two histories Fed chairpeople differ and the impact of their views and actions on the world economy. -
Insights
The Federal Reserve Chairman's Responsibilities
The chairman of the Federal Reserve Board has many duties including testifying before Congress and as acting as chair of the FOMC. -
Insights
Fed Hikes 25 Basis Points, Signals Two More Hikes in 2017
As expected the Fed raised the fed funds rate by 25 basis points.