Final answer:
Excess reserves are reserves that banks hold that exceed the legally mandated limit. These reserves can be used by banks to provide loans that are more than the bank funding criteria limits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Excess reserves are reserves that banks hold that exceed the legally mandated limit. These reserves can be used by banks to provide loans that are more than the bank funding criteria limits. Banks are legally required to hold a minimum level of reserves, but no rule prohibits them from holding additional excess reserves above the legally mandated limit.