The Responsibilities
of the Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve System was chartered in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. Over the years, its roles have evolved and expanded. Today, the Federal Reserve's duties include conducting the nation’s monetary policy by influencing money and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of full employment and stable prices; promoting the stability of the financial system; providing banking services to depository institutions and to the federal government; and ensuring that consumers receive adequate information and fair treatment in their interactions with the banking system. For a complete overview of the Federal Reserve, see The Federal Reserve System: Purposes & Functions.