Question

When the economy is operating at point C, the Federal Reserve may decrease the discount rate to

Answer 1

Answer:

D ; increase growth

Explanation:

The discount rate is one of the tools that the Federal Reserve uses to direct monetary policy.  Banks are subject to minimum reserves requirements. If a bank falls below this minimum, it can borrow from the banks with a surplus,  or borrow from the federal reserve. If it borrows from the Fed, the interest rate that applies is the discount rate. The discount rate is always higher than the fed fund rate; hence, banks use it as a last resort.

The discount rate and the fed rate have similar effects on the economy.  The Fed uses the discount rate to regulate the money supply in the country. When the growth in slow, the fed will reduce the discount rate.  A low discount rate means the cost of borrowing money goes down. The impact is that individuals and businesses will afford to borrow money for consumption and investment.

Increased levels of investments and consumption will mean a higher GDP, which is growth.