What is the role of the Federal Reserve?

The Federal Reserve, often called the 'Fed,' is the central bank of the United States. Its main responsibility is to regulate the U.S. economy by controlling the money supply and managing interest rates.

The Fed has three main functions:

• Conducting monetary policy to achieve maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates
• Supervising and regulating banks and other financial institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the U.S. banking system and financial markets
• Maintaining the stability of the financial system and containing systemic risk that may arise in financial markets

One of the Fed's most important tools for carrying out monetary policy is its ability to set interest rates. By raising or lowering interest rates, the Fed can affect the demand for loans and the supply of money in the economy, which can influence economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.

The Fed also plays a key role in providing liquidity to financial markets during times of stress, such as the 2008 financial crisis.