Question

In a simplified banking system in which all banks are subject to a 20 percent required reserve ratio, a $1,000 open market purchase by the Fed would cause the money supply to ________

Answer 1

Increase by $5000

Step-by-step explanation:

The United States Central Bank or the Federal Reserve (Fed) is responsible for controlling money supply in the United States as well as the activities of the commercial banks. This control can be carried out through a particular activity known as the Open Market Operations (OPO). This activity could be in form of buying or selling securities in the market.

According to the question, the 20% required reserve ratio means the banks are to maintain 20% of their total deposits. This means that a market purchase by the Fed of $1000 will increase the money supply by 5 times the amount bought by the Fed (20% is 1/5 of 100%).

The increase is calculated as $1,000 x 5 = $5,000