The Federal Reserve System, often called the Federal Reserve or simply the Fed, is the central banking system of the United States. Established on December 23, 1913, through the Federal Reserve Act, it was created in response to a series of financial panics, notably the Panic of 1907, to provide central control over the monetary system and mitigate financial crises. The Fed's core responsibilities include setting interest rates, managing the money supply, and regulating banks and the U.S. payment system. It also acts as a lender of last resort during economic crises.
The Federal Reserve has a unique structure, blending public and private elements, and is considered "independent within the government". It consists of the Board of Governors, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, and member banks. The seven-member Board of Governors is a federal agency that supervises national banks. The FOMC sets interest rate targets and manages the money supply. The current chair of the Board is Jerome Powell, and the vice chair is Philip Jefferson. The Fed operates independently of government funding, deriving its authority and purpose from the Federal Reserve Act.