Fed Balance Sheet
Candlefocus EditorThe two main components of the balance sheet are assets and liabilities. The assets are comprised of securities held in reserve (such as Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities, and agency debt), and various other financial instruments such as loans and deposits. Liabilities are also part of the balance sheet and consist of currency in circulation, deposits from banks, and other federal obligations.
The balance sheet has grown significantly since the 2008 financial crisis and is particularly large in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related recession. In total, the balance sheet has tripled since 2008, standing at nearly $7.4 trillion as of the end of 2019.
In March of 2020, the Federal Reserve significantly expanded its balance sheet in order to provide liquidity and support to the economy in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The asset side of the balance sheet has been significantly increased by undertaking a number of actions including open market purchases of Treasury notes and mortgage-backed securities, as well as establishing credit facilities for state and local governments, households, and businesses. Additionally, the Federal Reserve has reduced its liabilities by allowing a select group of banks and lenders to deposit funds at the Fed in exchange for Treasury notes or other securities.
The size and composition of the balance sheet provide key insights into current economic and monetary policy conditions. If the Fed is taking an expansionary policy stance, the balance sheet will likely be increasing in size. If the Fed is taking a contractionary stance, the balance sheet will likely be decreasing. The composition of the balance sheet can also provide an indication of where the Fed's focus is. For example, if the Fed is particularly focused on supporting households, businesses, and state and local governments during the current COVID-19 recession, the balance sheet may have a heavy focus on the corresponding credit facilities.
Overall, the Federal Reserve's balance sheet is a key indicator of the health of the U.S. economy. The size and composition of the balance sheet provide key insights into current economic and monetary policy conditions, and therefore it is an important metric to monitor.