Chapter 15: Monetary Policy 15-30 The Discount Rate How the Fed controls Ms Tools of Monetary Policy Open-market Operations Changing the reserve ratio Changing the discount rate S. Reineck Diana 1 The Discount Rate The interest rate the Fed charges on loans to member banks. A loan from the Fed increases excess reserves and therefore the lending ability of the bank. Raising the discount rate, increases the cost of borrowing, and makes banks more conservative in lending. S. Reineck Diana 2 The Discount Rate A weak monetary tool. » Depends on the commercial banks willingness to borrow from the Fed. » Banks have other sources of temporary funds. – Interbank loans – Sell bonds Mostly “announcement effect” S. Reineck Diana 3 Chapter 15: Monetary Policy 15-30 The Discount Rate Interest Rates Fed Controlled Discount Rate Market Determined Federal Funds Rate Prime Rate 30 year fixed rate mortgage 1 year ARM Car Loan Credit Card Rate S. Reineck Diana 4 Different i-rates. Discount rate - what the Fed charges member banks for loans. Federal funds rate - what banks charge each other for overnight loans. Prime rate - the rate banks charge their most credit worthy customers. S. Reineck Diana 5 S. Reineck Diana 6 Chapter 15: Monetary Policy 15-30 The Discount Rate S. Reineck Diana 7 S. Reineck Diana 8 Interest Rates Fed Controlled Discount Rate S. Reineck Diana Market Determined Federal Funds Rate Prime Rate 30 year fixed rate mortgage 1 year ARM Car Loan Credit Card Rate 9 Chapter 15: Monetary Policy 15-30 The Discount Rate How the Fed controls Ms Tools of Monetary Policy Open-market Operations Changing the reserve ratio Changing the discount rate S. Reineck Diana 10 Monetary Policy Outline What is money? What is the structure of the banking system? How do banks create money? How does the Fed control the money creation process? How does controlling the money supply (Ms) affect the economy. S. Reineck Diana 11