The Federal Reserve System Balance Sheet: What Happened and Why it Matters

May 1, 2009

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Peter Stella. The Federal Reserve System Balance Sheet: What Happened and Why it Matters, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2009) accessed September 20, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

The recent expansion of the balance sheet of the consolidated Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) is analyzed in an historical context. The analysis reveals that the nature of Fed involvement in U.S. financial markets has changed dramatically and its expansion is several orders of magnitude beyond what is usually reported. The associated fiscal risks and potential exit strategies are then considered. Although risks are considerable in certain unlikely scenarios, FRB capital, earnings capacity, and reserves are more than ample to preserve their financial independence. Nevertheless, the occurrence of losses or a significant drop in FRB profit might lead to an eventual curtailment of Fed operational independence. The paper concludes by considering options to enhance FRB risk management and to assign responsibilities for monetary, financial stability and fiscal policies once the current crisis is overcome.

Subject: Banking, Commercial banks, Credit, Currencies, Financial statements

Keywords: FRB balance sheet, FRB capital, FRB equity, Monetary policy, U.S. dollar, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

60
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2009/120
Stock No:

WPIEA2009120
ISBN:

9781451872675
ISSN:

1018-5941

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