Business Definition for: accommodative monetary policy
accommodative monetary policy
Federal Reserve policy to increase the amount of money available for lending by banks. When the Fed implements an accommodative policy, it is known as easing the money supply. During a period of easing, interest rates fall, making it more attractive for borrowers to borrow, thereby stimulating the economy. The Fed will initiate an accommodative policy when interest rates are high, the economy is weak, and there is little fear of an outbreak of inflation. Once interest rates have been lowered enough to stimulate the economy, the Fed may become concerned about inflation again and switch to a
tight money
policy.
See also
monetary policy
Related Terms:
Federal Reserve Board decisions on the money supply. To make the economy grow faster, the Fed can supply more credit to the banking system through its open market operations, or it can lower the member bank reserve requirement or lower the discount rate-which is what banks pay to borrow additional reserves from the Fed. If, on the other hand, the economy is growing too fast and inflation is an increasing problem, the Fed might withdraw money from the banking system, raise the reserve requirement, or raise the discount rate, thereby putting a brake on economic growth. Other instruments of monetary policy range from selective credit controls to simple but often highly effective moral suasion. Monetary policy differs from fiscal policy, which is carried out through government spending and taxation. Both seek to control the level of economic activity as measured by such factors as industrial production, employment, and prices.
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