Competency 4.02Understand the Banking System

Objective 4.02-A

Analyze the roles/responsibilities of the Federal Reserve.

4.0 Understand the Role of Finance in Business

The Federal Reserve System

What is the Federal Reserve System?

Why does it exist?

Who participates?

How is it organized?

The Federal Reserve (The Fed)

A Centralized Banking System

Federal Reserve Act signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson

Organized by the Federal Government in 1913 Why have “ The Fed” ? Purpose:

To establish and maintain confidence in the US monetary system To ensure a safe, healthy and stable economy To supervise and regulate member banks and help serve the public

efficiently.* Prior to the Federal Reserve Act anyone could issue currency or coin

money

Who Participates in Federal Reserve? 1) All National Banks are required to be part of the Fed

1) Optional for state banks

2) Divisions are called DISTRICTS3) There are 12 DISTRICTS in the United States4) Every state comes under a district5) Each Federal Reserve Bank is a corporation, owned by its member

banks

NC is in District 5, the Richmond District.

The Federal Reserve

What are the two arms of “The Fed”? Board of Governors

Represents the government (public) sector District Federal Reserve Banks

Represents the business (private) sector

Board of Governors Usually meet about

twice a week, ordinarily on Mondays and Wednesdays

Public is invited to look into the meetings of the Board of Governors

Usually discuss monetary policy such as lowering and raising interest rates

The Board Room at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC

Members of the Board of Governors Ben S. Bernanke, Current Chairman

Alan Greenspan, Retired Chairman  

Chairman is appointed by President and confirmed by Senate Similar to procedure for Supreme Court Justices

Purpose of Federal Reserve

Established to supervise and regulate banks1. Known as the “Bank’s bank”

2. The central bank of the United States

3. Assists banks with serving the public more efficiently

4. All national banks are required to join the Federal Reserve System

5. State banks have the option of joining the system

The Federal Reserve System Services1. Supervision of banks

2. Agent for the federal government

3. Regulates monetary policy

4. Lends money to member banks

5. Acting as a clearinghouse

6. Participation in open market activities

7. Sets loan limits & standards

8. Supplies currency

1. Fed Supervision: Set Reserve Requirements Member banks are required to keep a

certain percentage (10% for many years) of all deposits in the bank’s vault or on deposit with the district federal reserve bank

Reserves: funds set aside for emergencies Example: a rush of withdrawals by customers

Purpose: to reduce risk of bank panics and protect depositor’s money

1. Fed Supervision: Audits Member BanksInspects banks by auditing financial records Audit -an inspection of records to verify the:

1. accuracy of books (records) of the bank2. bank is complying with banking laws

Similar to Individuals/corporations who are audited by the IRS to review the accuracy of a tax return.

1. FED Supervision: Approves Bank MergersQ: Why do banks merge? To be more competitive

-to offer customers more locations (local, regional, national, international)-to offer a variety of services more efficiently-to compete with a growing array of other financial service companies such as:

*money market and other mutual funds*mortgage companies*credit unions and *credit arms of industrial firms (General Electric and Ford Motor)

Here are some recent bank mergers approved by “The Fed” in 2007-2008 Bank of New York bought Mellon Financial Corporation for $18.3 Billion JPMorgan Chase bought Bear Stearns for $1.1 Billion Bank of America bought Merrill Lynch Bank of America for $50 Billion Wells Fargo bought Wachovia for $15.1 Billion

2. Fed Acts as Agent for Federal Government

The Fed holds a checking account for the US Treasury

Disburses social security benefits and other transfer payments using the direct deposit system

Accepts some types of federal tax money

Example: Federal tax depositories

Payroll taxes - federal income tax, FUTA, and social security taxes are deposited using federal deposit coupon into a national bank

3. FED Regulates Monetary Policy What is Monetary Policy?

When the Federal Reserve influences money and credit conditions in the economy to achieve economic goals

How? The Fed determines amount of money in circulation and available for loans, then either increases or decreases to stabilize/stimulate the economy Tight money- policy when less money is available at

higher interest rates, slows (stabilizes) economy Loose money- policy when more money is available at

lower interest rates, increases (stimulates) economy

4. FED Lends Money to Member Banks

Monitors the discount rate of interest - rate used by the Fed to loan money to member banks Compare banks to intermediaries (go-betweens) trading in

money at “wholesale” prices

The Fed changing interest rates affect borrowers (member banks) who pass rates to consumers

Raising rate - discourages borrowing Reducing rate - encourages borrowing

Note: the Federal Reserve does not loan money to individuals or businesses (only member banks) HOWEVER, rates the Fed charges member banks “trickle down” and affect the interest rates for consumers

5. FED Acts as Clearing House Clears/Processes/Settles checks for

member banks Federal Reserve uses the Automated

Clearing House (ACH) to electronically complete fund transfers (check settlements) between banks

Interdistrict Settlement Fund in Washington, DC used for between district transfers

Checks/deposit slips have MICR coding Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

Scanners read MICR on checks to electronically process data accurately and rapidly through the ACH and Interdistrict Settlement Fund

6. FED Participates in Open Market Participates in open market operations by buying and

selling government securities Q: What are government securities?

A: Treasury bills and bonds – loans to government in various denominations (amounts) and for various time periods

Advantages and Disadvantages+ offer a fixed rate of interest over a fixed period of time

+ attractive because not subject to income taxes

- cannot be easily transferred and are non-negotiable

Open Market Operations

Government securities are sold at a discount (from face value), but are redeemed (cashed in) for face value on the maturity (due) date

Examples: Purchase treasury note for $7500 (discount price),

redeem at maturity date for $10,000 (face value) Purchase Series EE savings bond for $25, redeem

in 7 years at maturity for $50

Government Securities Savings bonds - Example Series EE-

Denomination minimum $25 Payable after 6 months Earns interest up to 30 years

Short-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury Treasury bill – maturity in one year or less Issued to mature in 13 weeks, 26 weeks, 52 weeks

Long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury Treasury note – maturity at 1 to 10 years, minimum $1000 Treasury bond - maturity at 10 + years

Open Market Operations

Bank discount rates encourages borrowing by member banks, and therefore encourages borrowing by consumers

Purpose of open market operations1. Regulate money supply

Most frequent method of controlling the economy Who controls open market operations?

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)-

A committee within the Federal Reserve

7. The FED Sets Lending Standards Sets standards for

consumer legislation dealing with lending and credit

Sets limits for loans and investments by member banks

News: Federal Reserve revised bank lending rules since banking crisis

Ex: Lower % of total loans for land/acreage

8. The Fed Supplies Currency Money defined:

a medium of exchange for value US money = currency and coins

Federal Reserve supplies paper currency Legal Tender for all debts, public and private Paper currency supplied is “Federal Reserve Notes”

Printing currency (paper money, bills) Bureau of Printing and Engraving Counterfeiting - federal crime

Coinage Minting supplied and regulated by the Department of

Treasury, US Mint

St. Louis Federal Reserve

http://www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/

Topics

Classification of financial institutions Depository Non-depository

Common payment services Electronic Funds Transfers Online Bill Pay Checking Accounts Specialty checks Money Orders

Classification of Financial Institutions Depository

Earns money to finance their business by accepting deposits from customers

Types include: Commercial banks- full service - offer many different

services, including savings, loans, and checking accounts. Savings and Loan associations (S&Ls) -traditionally

specialize in savings and home loans, but now are very similar to commercial banks.

Mutual savings banks- owned by the depositors and specialize in savings and home loans.

Credit unions- not-for profit, serve their members only, and are owned by their depositors.

Classification of Financial Institutions Non-depository

Earns money to finance their business by selling specific services such as policies, investments, and loans

Types include: Life insurance companies -term, whole, universal Investment companies - stocks, bonds, mutual funds Consumer finance companies – higher rates if bad credit Mortgage companies – loan $ for land, buildings, homes Check-cashing outlets –fee based if do not have bank acct Pawnshops –loan $ based on value of item pawned

How To Compare Financial Institutions Which characteristics of financial institutions

are of interest? Services offered Safety Convenience Fees and charges Restrictions

What kinds of questions may be asked about each characteristic?

Comparative Questions

Services – Does the institution offer needed services? Savings Depository for payroll taxes Checking

Various options to meet customer needs Loans

Short term - working capital Long term - mortgage

Credit cards Debit cards Safe deposit boxes Trust management

Comparative Questions

Safety – Is the institution insured against losses? Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system: insures deposits, supervises financial institutions

National Credit Union Administration

(NCUA) Charters and supervises credit unions

Comparative Questions

Convenience – Does the institution offer the access desired? Physical locations available Online services

Easy to access & use ATM machines

Comparative Questions

Restrictions – Are there minimum balances that must be kept, or other restrictions?

Minimum balance- $ amount required to stay in account at all times If account keeps minimum balance, fees are often

waived (eliminated)

Comparative Questions

Fees and Charges – What are the short and long-term costs of the services? Flat monthly fees Fees per transaction

NSF (Non-sufficient funds) fees Checks written Debit transactions

# of transactions allowed before fees begin Minimum balance required to eliminate fees

Common Payment Services

Electronic Funds Transfers Online Bill Pay Checking Accounts

Personal, business Specialty checks

Certified, Cashier’s, Traveler’s Money Orders

Postal, Express, Telegraphic

Online Bill Pay

Use the web to make payments Often fee based Privacy can be issue

Change PIN frequently Use only “safe” sites

Write Online Bill Pay questions 1-3 from next slide on notebook paper. Use the website to answer the questions.

http://banking.about.com/od/bankonline/f/setupbillpay.htm

Online Bill Pay Questions

1. What are the two types of online bill pay?

2. What is automatic bill pay?

3. Choose link Banking 101Choose link 3 reasons to avoid online banking.

List 3 reasons given.

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Common Payment Services - EFTElectronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Banking method in which computers and electronictechnology is used as a substitute for checks and otherpaper forms of banking

Electronic Funds Transfer Options: Automated Teller Machines (ATM’S) Pay-By-Phone Systems Direct Deposit or Withdrawals

Paychecks, automated bill payment Point-of-Sale Transfers

Debit Cards Automatic Deposits and Payments

Checking Accounts

Used by business and individuals to manage cash transactions

Check- A preprinted form issued by the financial

institution Account holder directs withdrawals by writing

checks Parties to a Check

Payee, Drawee, Drawer

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Parties to a Check

Melanie PaigeCharles Paige 319619 Main StreetRaleigh, NC 27601 2-131/1034

July 16, 2010Pay To the Order of _____Donnie Tatum______________________$100.50_One hundred and 50/100 ---------------------------------------------------DOLLARS

State Credit Union

For _______________ Charles Paige

2131/1034:78434 234320 100.50 07-18-2010 2251

Drawer’s Name & AddressJoint Account Payee Check

Date

Drawer’s Signature - Last item completed on check!

Bank Name - Drawee

CheckNumberABA #

MICR Banking #sMemo

Record Keeping

IMPORTANT:

Keep a current balance in check register or on check stub by:

Recording deposits Recording withdrawals

Checks written EFTs Bank Fees

Common Payment Services

Special Checks Travelers check

Requires 1st signature when check issued Requires 2nd signature when check used

Go to link below and read about traveler’s checks and how they work.

http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/visa_travelers_cheques_acceptance.pdf

Traveler’s Checks

Traveler’s Checks – Draft drawn by a well-known financial institution on itself or its agent, used when traveling

Go to website http://www212.americanexpress.com/

dsmlive/dsm/dom/us/en/personal/cardmember/additionalproductsandservices/giftcardsandtravelerscheques/travelerschequesandforeigncurrency.do?vgnextoid=6d17fc671492a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD

Write questions 1-3 on notebook paper. Use the website to answer the questions.

Click on Learn More about Travelers Checks.

1. List the 4 steps in how to use travelers checks.

2. List 5 ways Travelers Checks mean Peace of Mind.

3. What is the benefit of Cheques for Two?

Certified Check

A certified check is written by a bank for you from your bank account to give to someone.

It's guaranteed funds that the bank reserves from your account.

Go to website: http://www.superpages.com/supertips/what-is-a-certified-check.html

Write Certified Check questions 1-5 from next slide on notebook paper. Use the website to answer the questions.

Certified Check Questions

1. Who issues a certified check?

2. Give two examples of when you might need a certified check?

3. Why can’t a certified check bounce?

4. Why does a creditor require a certified check?

5. Do banks charge a fee for a certified check?

Cashier’s Check SampleCashier’s Check – A check the bank draws on itself

Common Payment Services

Money Order Draft issued by a

post office, bank, express company, or telegraph company for use in paying or transferring funds for the purchaser

Orders issuing agency to pay amount printed on form to another party

Types of Money Orders: Postal money order Express money order Telegraphic money order

Go to website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_order

Write questions 1-5 from next

slide on notebook paper. Use

the website to answer the

questions.

Money Order Questions

1. For what amount of money is a money order issued?

2. When was the Postal Order system established?

3. What is a concern about using money orders?

4. Who usually sells money orders in the United States?

5. Name 5 security features of a postal money order.

Common payment services

Opening a checking account Signing a signature card is the first step

Writing a check for payment Endorsing a check for deposit

An endorsement allows the payee to cash the check, deposit the check or transfer payment of the check to someone else.

Different types of endorsements: Blank Full Restrictive

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Check Endorsements

Definition: Signature on the back of a checkWhat does an endorsement do?

Allows payee to cash, deposit or transfer payment of the check to someone else

Provides proof that the payee cashed or transferred payment of the check to someone else

How should a check be endorsed? Endorser (payee who is signing) should sign the check the

way it is on the front of the check and if the name is misspelled, correct the signature directly up under the first endorsement

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Blank Endorsements

Signed with endorser’s name only (endorser is payee from front of check)

Can be cashed by anyone who holds the check with a blank endorsement!

Don’t use blank endorsement before you are ready to cash or deposit!

X Jane Doe

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE

Should match payee’s name

Special Endorsement Transfers payment of a check

to someone else. Payee signs check , then

writes “pay to the order of” another person

Can be used to make payment on a debt Juan is payee on check Juan owes Maria money Juan transfers payment to

Maria.Might also endorse:

Juan Delgadopay over to Maria Fernandez

Debt = money owed

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Full Endorsement Example Transfers payment to

someone else Payee signs the

check over to another person to receive payment

Who was payee on check? John

X Pay to the order of

Jane Doe

John Doe

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE

Restrictive Endorsement

Limits use of the check so it can be deposited only to endorser’s account.

Safest type of endorsement

Cannot be cashed by a thief or someone who finds the check

Best to use when mailing a check for deposit or when using the ATM for deposit.

Check Writing Procedures

1. Write information in the check register first, (ensure checks are written in numerical order)

2. Write the date the check is written.

3. Write the payee’s name.

4. Write in the numerical amount of the check.

5. Write in the amount of the check in words.

6. Write in the purpose of the check.

7. Sign the check.

How Do I Know the Amount in my Checking Account?Keep a Check Register or

Check Stub Balance

a. Subtract checks written (or debit card transactions) from balance

b. Add deposits to balance

c. Keep a running balance after writing checks or making deposits

Check Register is YOUR documentation of how much money is in your account?

What if mistakes are made?

You will make corrections when you reconcile (balance) bank statement

Bank Reconciliation

What is a bank reconciliation? Document that shows two equal balances

Your record of your checking account The bank’s record of your account

Do they have the same $ balance? Yes, or reconciliation is not complete! Reconciliation helps to find/correct any

mistakes in your register!

Outstanding Checks

What is an outstanding check? Outstanding checks are checks that have not

cleared (been deducted from) the bank statement balance.

Need to know items outstanding in order to reconcile statement

How to know if checks are outstanding: Find out which checks /deposits are outstanding

by comparing the bank statement with the checkbook register

Reconciling a Checkbook

Makes sure the bank’s records agree with your records1. Check for outstanding checks and deposits

2. Check the checks, deposits, ATM activity on the bank statement to make sure that your records are correct

3. Make adjustments to the bank statement and your records to ensure that you and the bank have the same amount of money

4. Reconcile every statement upon receipt

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Steps in a Bank Reconciliation1. Obtain the monthly bank statement.

2. Determine checks paid.

3. Find differences between the monthly bank statement and monthly check register.

4. Calculate the adjusted balance.

5. If the balances do not agree, check the steps again and recalculate.

6. Account balances must be equal!