Check out John Paul Koning’s latest chart of the Fed’s history.For better of for worse, the Federal Reserve has been governing the monetary system of the United States since 1914. This chart maps the rise of the Fed from its origins as a relatively minor institution, often controlled by Presidents and the United States Department of the Treasury, into an independent and powerful body that rivals the Presidency in terms of prominence.
Multiple data series including the Fed’s balance sheet, interest rates and spreads, reserve requirements, chairmen, inflation, recessions, and more help chronicle this rise. While this chart can only tell part of the complex story of the Fed, I trust it will be a valuable reference tool to anyone curious about the evolution of this very influential yet controversial institution.
Tags: Fed