FOMC

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)

The body that is responsible for setting the interest rates and credit policies of the Federal Reserve System.

Federal Open Market Committee

An arm of the Federal Reserve System charged with setting standards for open market operations. That is, the FOMC sets the monetary policy for the United States by buying and selling securities and setting key interest rates, especially the rate at which banks lend each other money for overnight loans. Selling government securities and raising interest rates are how the Federal Reserve reduces the amount of money in the economy; these tools are used to slow unsustainable growth and to curb inflation. Buying securities and lowering interest rates increase the amount of money in the economy and are used to spur growth.

The Committee meets eight times per year and consists of the seven members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and five of the 12 Reserve Bank presidents. Four of the five presidents alternate for one-year terms, while the President of the New York Federal Reserve serves ex officio. It operates independently, although the Chairman of the Federal Reserve is required to appear before Congress at intervals. Somewhat controversially, its meetings are conducted in secret.

FOMC

See Federal Open Market Committee.

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

The Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve Board meets eight times a year to evaluate the threat of inflation or recession.

Based on its findings, the 12-member FOMC determines whether to change the discount rate or alter the money supply to curb or stimulate economic growth.

For example, the FOMC may raise the discount rate, which the Federal Reserve charges member banks to borrow, with the goal of tightening credit and limiting inflationary growth. It may lower rates to encourage borrowing and economic expansion. Or it may take no action.

Changes in the discount rate result in virtually immediate changes in the short-term rates that banks charge consumers -- and each other -- to borrow.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York implements FOMC decisions to alter the money supply. It buys government securities to put more money into circulation and loosen credit or it sells securities to take money out of the market and tighten credit.