US Federal Reserve
The US Federal Reserve is the central banking system of the United States, established to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible and more stable monetary and financial system. It was created by Congress in 1913 following a series of financial panics, particularly the severe panic of 1907. The Federal Reserve System comprises a Board of Governors in Washington, DC, and twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks located in major cities across the country. The Board of Governors is led by a chair appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving a four-year renewable term. The Federal Reserve's primary responsibilities include conducting monetary policy to promote maximum employment and stable prices, supervising and regulating banking institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation's banking and financial system, maintaining financial system stability, and providing financial services to depository institutions and the US government. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which includes the Board of Governors and five Reserve Bank presidents, meets regularly to set the federal funds rate, a key benchmark interest rate that influences borrowing costs throughout the economy. Federal Reserve policy decisions have significant global implications, affecting currency markets, capital flows and economic conditions worldwide. The institution operates with a degree of independence from direct political control, though it remains accountable to Congress. Its monetary policy actions, particularly interest rate decisions and quantitative easing programmes, are closely watched by financial markets and policymakers around the world.
US Federal Reserve Updates
South African rand slips ahead of Fed decision amid Iran war uncertainty
By: Reuters 29th April 2026 The South African rand weakened in early trade on Wednesday as investors waited for the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later in the... →
South African rand steady as hawkish Fed, Middle East tensions weigh
By: Reuters 19th March 2026 The South African rand held steady in early Thursday trade as investors assessed the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance, which dampened... →
LBMA hopes Rand Refinery’s gold partnership with Ghana is 'first of many' 
By: Martin Creamer 12th February 2026 I hope it's the first of many, says London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) CEO Ruth Crowell of the strategic gold partnership that South Africa’s... →
South African rand buoyed by bounce back in commodity prices
By: Reuters 3rd February 2026 The South African rand rallied in early trade on Tuesday, helped by the bounce back in commodity prices, which has led it back below 16.00... →
South African rand gains as gold hits fresh peak before key interest rate decisions
By: Reuters 28th January 2026 South Africa's commodity-linked rand edged higher in early trade on Wednesday, boosted by record gold prices as markets awaited interest rate... →
South African rand steady as Trump backs off tariff and Greenland threats
By: Reuters 22nd January 2026 The South African rand was steady in early trade on Thursday, as geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand eased after US President Donald Trump... →
South African rand weakens as traders weigh Fed decision, await local data
By: Reuters 11th December 2025 The South African rand weakened on Thursday as traders assessed the US Federal Reserve's rate decision and awaited local data releases, including... →
South African rand tracks subdued emerging market assets as Fed meeting nears
By: Reuters 9th December 2025 The South African rand was muted in early trade on Tuesday, in line with most emerging market peers, as traders counted down to the US Federal... →
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