Monetary base

Definition

Sum of the currency held by the public and reserves held by financial institutions with the Federal Reserve Banks. This is the monetary aggregate that the Federal Reserve has control over through its monetary policy. Also called High Powered Money because the effect of changes in monetary base on money supply is magnified by the money multiplier.

Investing Essentials

Copyright © 2011 Campbell R. Harvey, Professor of Finance, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University


Term of the Day

Market check
An investigation typically conducted by an investment banking firm, on behalf of a target's Board of Directors (or Special Committee) as part of a process to determine whether a proposed price for... Read More

Subscribe to the Term of the Day via email Get the Term of the Day in your inbox!

Create your free portfolio