who owns the federal reserve?

Answer 1

Balderdash! The Federal Reserve is a private bank, whose shareholders include the Federal Government and several commercial banks, including foreign ones.

Answer 2

The Federal Reserve *System* is 'owned' and controlled by the government. However there is some semblance of private ownership and influence at the Federal Reserve Branch level.

At the top of the Federal Reserve System is the Board of Governors. These are all appointed for 14-year terms by the president and confirmed by congress. It operates per it's charter and laws set by congress. it is overseen by congress. There is absolutely no structure or mechanism for private ownership at this level. (If someone disagrees, please explain how someone could take legal title to own and control the Board of Governors).

The 12 branches, however, are organized similar to private corporations. Member banks are required to buy shares in their branch. They can vote for 6 of their 9 board members. The shares get a standard 6% dividend. The shares cannot be sold on the open market. All 'profit' from the Federal Reserve branches are turned over to the Treasury at the end of the year. Whether this branch structure constitutes 'private ownership' is the subject of much debate. Even the courts have a hard time with making the distinction in related decisions. I personally equate it to contracting out; the Board of Governors has oversight and ultimate responsibility but the branch work is carried out by this contrived joint partnership arrangement of member banks.

Anti-Fed conspiracy sites will claim that the Federal Reserve is own and run by foreign individuals. Let's look at that for the moment. Shares in branches cannot be owned by individuals, only by their member banks. Though shares are somewhat proportional to bank size, no single bank has absolute control. Do foreignors have control of these large banks? By law, a public company has to list anyone with more than 5% ownership. if you look at the big banks, you do not see any significant foreign ownership. The largest shareholder of the largest bank is Rockfeller's ownership in Chase.

Answer 3

I dont know.. I did just read some interesting information on how evil banking is in america. How the federal reserve was a privately held company that dictated american policy even to the point of causing the great depression.

Answer 4

The citizens of the United States technically own it but it is run by the government.

Answer 5

Nobody. It is an entity separate of the U.S. government and treasury. This is done to make sure that it is not influenced by politics and that it truly looks out for the economic well-being of the country.

I just wanted to clarify the above. They are paid salaries by the government, but they are not controlled by any government organization or branch separate of themselves.

Answer 6

Independent regulatory agency under the executive branch.