Question

Suppose the Fed purchases $100 million of U.S. securities from security dealers. If the reserve requirement is 20 percent, the currency holdings of the public are unchanged, and banks have zero excess reserves both before and after the transaction, the total impact on the money supply will be a:A.$100 million increase in the money supply.B.$100 million decrease in the money supply.C.$200 million increase in the money supply.D.$500 million increase in the money supply.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option D.

Explanation:

The reserve requirement is 20 percent.

The Fed purchases $100 million of U.S. securities from security dealers.

The excess reserves with banks are zero.  

When fed purchased securities, this open market operation increased the reserves with banks by $100 million.  

The increase in money supply  

= $\frac{1}{RR}\times Change\ in\ reserves$

= $\frac{1}{0.2}\times 100$

= 500