Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve monitors risks to the financial system and works, usually with agencies at home and abroad, to help ensure the system supports a healthy economy for U.S. households, communities, and businesses.

A financial system is considered stable when its markets and institutions—including banks, savings and loans, and other financial product and service providers—are resilient and able to function even following a bad shock. This means that households, communities, and businesses can count on having the resources, services, and products they need to invest, grow, and participate in a well-functioning economy. These resources and services include:

• a range of options to finance investment and large purchases, including business lines of credit, mortgages, and student loans, among others;

• an array of choices in how to manage assets, including savings accounts, brokerage services, mutual funds, and retirement accounts, among many others; and,

• an efficient, effective, and safe U.S. payment and settlement system.