when the fed lowers the discount rate, it makes it course hero

by Prof. Shana Hammes 9 min read

The Fed sets the interest rate that it charges and that interest rate is called the discount rate. When the Fed reduces the discount rate, it makes it cheaper for banks to borrow money. This means banks are likely to borrow more.

Full Answer

Why does the Fed adjust the discount rate?

Adjusting the discount rate allows central banks such as the Fed to reduce liquidity problems and the pressures of reserve requirements, control the supply of money in the economy and basically assure stability in the financial markets.

What is the difference between the reserve requirement and the discount rate?

The reserve requirement is the portion of a bank's deposits that it must hold in cash form, either within its own vaults or on deposit at its regional Fed bank. The higher the reserve requirements are, the fewer room banks have to leverage their liabilities or deposits. The federal discount rate is the interest rate the Fed charges on loans.

How often does the Fed review the discount window?

Funds for commercial banks borrowed from the Fed to improve their money supply are processed through the discount window, and the rate is reviewed every 14 days. The federal discount rate is one of the most important indicators in the economy, as most other interest rates move up and down with it.

What is the difference between the discount rate and interbank rate?

The interbank rate, called the Fed funds rate, is usually lower than the discount rate. As long as the Fed funds rate is lower than the discount rate, commercial banks will prefer to borrow from another commercial bank rather than the Fed.

How is the Fed's discount rate determined?

Why is the discount rate higher than the federal funds rate?

What Is the Federal Discount Rate?

What happens when a discount rate is raised?

What is the interbank rate?

What is discount rate lending?

What is the purpose of the Fed?

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How is the Fed's discount rate determined?

The discount rate is determined by the Fed's board of governors, as opposed to the federal funds rate, which is set by the market between member banks. The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) sets a target for the Fed funds rate, which it pursuits through the open sale and purchase of U.S. Treasuries, whereas the discount rate is reached solely through review by the board of governors.

Why is the discount rate higher than the federal funds rate?

The discount rate is typically set higher than the federal funds rate target, usually by 100 basis points (1 percentage point), because the central bank prefers that banks borrow from each other so that they continually monitor each other for credit risk and liquidity. Take the Next Step to Invest.

What Is the Federal Discount Rate?

The federal discount rate is the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve (Fed) on loans extended by the central bank to commercial banks or other depository institutions. Adjusting the discount rate allows central banks such as the Fed to reduce liquidity problems and the pressures of reserve requirements, control the supply of money in the economy and basically assure stability in the financial markets.

What happens when a discount rate is raised?

Conversely, a raised discount rate makes it more expensive for banks to borrow and thereby diminishes the money supply while retracting investment activity.

What is the interbank rate?

The interbank rate, called the Fed funds rate , is usually lower than the discount rate. As long as the Fed funds rate is lower than the discount rate, commercial banks will prefer to borrow from another commercial ...

What is discount rate lending?

Lending at the discount rate is part of the Fed's function as a lender of last resort, and is one of the Fed's primary monetary policy tools.

What is the purpose of the Fed?

This is part of the primary purpose of the Fed as a lender of last resort to ensure the stability of the banks and the financial system in general.

Don't Confuse Rates

It's pretty common for people to confuse the discount rate with the federal funds rate, but they're not the same thing. The federal funds rate is the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans.

How Banks Make Money

Banks are legally required to keep cash reserves. The reserve amount varies, but it's typically equal to 10% of the total value of the checking accounts at the bank. So for every $10 you deposit in your checking account, the bank needs to keep one dollar, but it's free to lend out the other $9 at interest. This is how banks make their money.

Banks Have Two Ways to Borrow

So remember, there are two ways banks can borrow money: (1) They can borrow money from other banks at the federal funds rate, or (2) they can borrow money directly from the Federal Reserve at the discount rate (which is higher than the federal funds rate).

How is the Fed's discount rate determined?

The discount rate is determined by the Fed's board of governors, as opposed to the federal funds rate, which is set by the market between member banks. The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) sets a target for the Fed funds rate, which it pursuits through the open sale and purchase of U.S. Treasuries, whereas the discount rate is reached solely through review by the board of governors.

Why is the discount rate higher than the federal funds rate?

The discount rate is typically set higher than the federal funds rate target, usually by 100 basis points (1 percentage point), because the central bank prefers that banks borrow from each other so that they continually monitor each other for credit risk and liquidity. Take the Next Step to Invest.

What Is the Federal Discount Rate?

The federal discount rate is the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve (Fed) on loans extended by the central bank to commercial banks or other depository institutions. Adjusting the discount rate allows central banks such as the Fed to reduce liquidity problems and the pressures of reserve requirements, control the supply of money in the economy and basically assure stability in the financial markets.

What happens when a discount rate is raised?

Conversely, a raised discount rate makes it more expensive for banks to borrow and thereby diminishes the money supply while retracting investment activity.

What is the interbank rate?

The interbank rate, called the Fed funds rate , is usually lower than the discount rate. As long as the Fed funds rate is lower than the discount rate, commercial banks will prefer to borrow from another commercial ...

What is discount rate lending?

Lending at the discount rate is part of the Fed's function as a lender of last resort, and is one of the Fed's primary monetary policy tools.

What is the purpose of the Fed?

This is part of the primary purpose of the Fed as a lender of last resort to ensure the stability of the banks and the financial system in general.