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FED trivia
Monetarists/Monetary Policy
Economics Today
100

The buying and selling of bonds by the FED is referred to as ?

open market operations or OMO 

100

At its last meeting in October, what action did the FOMC take in relation to the Fed Funds rate?

In support of its goals and in light of the shift in the balance of risks, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 3-3/4 to 4 percent

100

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) consists of how many members? 

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) consists of twelve members

100

What do we call actions undertaken by a central bank, such as the Federal Reserve, to influence the availability and cost of money and credit to help promote national economic goals 

Monetary Policy

100

What is the current FED funds rate right now? ( it is a range).

3.75% to 4.00%

200

By 2014, the Fed had engaged in three separate rounds of these purchase programs and these are referred to using a phrase or acronym that sources say was coined by economist Richard Werner although some speculate a trader on the East Coast first came up with the term.

QE or quantitative easing.

200

When is the next FOMC meeting?

 December 9-10

200

The FOMC holds how many regularly scheduled meetings per year?

The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year.

200

Monetarist theory is governed by a simple formula: what is it? 

Monetarist theory is governed by a simple formula: 

MV = PQ

where M is the money supply, V is the velocity (number of times per year the average dollar is spent), P is the price of goods and services and Q is the quantity of goods and services.

200

What is the current inflation rate in the US?

Current U.S. Inflation Rate is 3.0%: Why It Matters. Inflation rose in the 12 months ending September 2025, bringing the current inflation rate to 3.0%.

300

What do we call the interest rate charged by banks to borrow from each other overnight  ?

The Fed Funds Rate

300

What year was the start of the great Depression?

1929

300

What does FOMC stand for?

Federal Open Market Committee

300

Who is considered the founder of monetarism?

Milton Friedman's best-known contributions are in the realm of monetary economics, where he is regarded as the founder of monetarism.

300

What is the current unemployment rate in the US?

4.4%

400

The IOER and the interest rate on required reserves were replaced with a single rate called ?

The IORB (interest on reserve balances)

400

How long did the COVID Economic contraction last in months?

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the acknowledged arbiter of business-cycle dating, the contraction in economic activity marking the pandemic recession lasted only two months: March and April 2020.

400

What is the 'dual mandate' of the FED

The Federal Reserve works to promote a strong U.S. economy. Specifically, Congress has assigned the Fed to conduct the nation's monetary policy to support the goals of maximum employment and stable prices. Those two goals are often referred to as the Fed's "dual mandate.

400

He played music with Stan Getz when they were in school together. Dropped out of Julliard to join the swing band Henry Jerome & His Orchestra. Founded the consulting firm Townsend Greenspan whose clients included Alcoa, U.S. Steel and J.P. Morgan. And he was a beloved FED chairman and monetarist -- who is he?

Alan Greenspan

400

What is the current average 30 year fixed mortgage rate in the US ?

As of Thursday, November 27, 2025, the current average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.29 percent.

500

The rate at which banks borrow directly from the Fed's discount window is called ?

The Discount rate or primary credit rate

500

On Nov 18, 2018 Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that he would do this after every FED/FOMC meeting -- what is it?

A Press Conference

500

Who served a longer term as FED chairman Alan Greenspan or Jerome Powell?


Alan Greenspan served as Federal Reserve Chairman for more than 18 years, from 1987 to 2006, making him the longest-serving chair in history. In contrast, Jerome Powell has served as Federal Reserve Chairman since February 5, 2018, and as of now, he has not yet reached Greenspan's tenure length.

500

Monetarists believe that this is the most important determinant of economic activity and prices. They argue that changes in this lead to changes in economic activity, inflation, and interest rates.

Monetarists believe that the money supply is the most important determinant of economic activity and prices. They argue that changes in the money supply lead to changes in economic activity, inflation, and interest rates.

500

What is the latest GDP growth rate estimate ( April, May and June)?  ( this is a percentage)

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025 (April, May, and June), according to the third estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.