PrintCurrent FAQs
Informing the public about the Federal Reserve
All Questions
- Why do interest rates matter?
- What economic goals does the Federal Reserve seek to achieve through its monetary policy?
- Are the Reserve Banks' boards of directors involved in banking supervision matters?
- What is the process for reappointing Reserve Bank presidents?
- Why is it important to separate Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions from political influence?
- How does the Federal Reserve Board determine how much currency to order each year?
- How is a Federal Reserve Bank president selected?
- What is the difference between a bank’s liquidity and its capital?
- Does the Federal Reserve own or hold gold?
- What were the Federal Reserve's large-scale asset purchases?
- How does the Federal Reserve's buying and selling of securities relate to the borrowing decisions of the federal government?
- Is the Federal Reserve Act going to expire?
- I received a suspicious-looking e-mail that claims to be from the Federal Reserve. Is it a scam?
- How much U.S. currency is in circulation?
- How long is the lifespan of U.S. paper money?
- Who owns the Federal Reserve?
- What is the lowest level of unemployment that the U.S. economy can sustain?
- Why does the Federal Reserve aim for 2 percent inflation over time?
- What is inflation and how does the Federal Reserve evaluate changes in the rate of inflation?
- What is the Federal Reserve doing to help decrease the likelihood of another financial crisis?
- Why does the Federal Reserve lend money to banks?
- Is the Federal Reserve aware of the challenges that I and others in my community face? Does the Federal Reserve take these issues into account when developing national policy?
- Is the Federal Reserve accountable to anyone?
- Is it legal for a business in the United States to refuse cash as a form of payment?
- How do I determine if a banknote is genuine? What should I do if I think I have a counterfeit note?
- What is the prime rate, and does the Federal Reserve set the prime rate?
- How is the Federal Reserve System structured?
- How will the Federal Reserve ensure that the size of its balance sheet won’t lead to excessive inflation?
- What does the Federal Reserve mean when it says monetary policy remains "accommodative"?
- What is the money supply? Is it important?
- How much does it cost to produce currency and coin?
- What is the FOMC and when does it meet?
- What is forward guidance and how is it used in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy?
- What are the Federal Reserve's objectives in conducting monetary policy?
- What does the Federal Reserve mean when it talks about the "normalization of monetary policy"?
- How can I start a bank?
- Which denominations of currency does the Federal Reserve issue?
- How does the globalization of financial markets affect the ability of the Federal Reserve to promote macroeconomic and financial stability?
- How does the Federal Reserve cooperate with foreign policymakers to promote economic growth and financial stability?
- What is the Federal Reserve's implementation note and how does it differ from the FOMC's postmeeting statement?
- Do I have to trade in my old-design notes when a new one begins circulating?
- How does monetary policy influence inflation and employment?
- Why is the Federal Reserve paying banks interest?
- What does it mean that the Federal Reserve is "independent within the government"?
- Why does the United States periodically redesign its currency?
- What is the purpose of the Federal Reserve System?
- How can I comment on a regulatory proposal?
- How can I contact members of the Board of Governors or request to have a Board member speak at an event?
- Does the Federal Reserve ever get audited?
- What is the difference between monetary policy and fiscal policy, and how are they related?
- Why did the Federal Reserve begin raising interest rates after seven years of keeping them near zero?
- How does the foreign exchange value of the dollar relate to Federal Reserve policy?
- Who are the members of the Federal Reserve Board, and how are they selected?
- I have a problem with my bank. How do I file a complaint against it?
- Is U.S. currency still backed by gold?
Last update:
September 9, 2016
