In response to problems in financial markets and a slowing economy, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) began lowering its target for the federal funds rate from 5.25 percent in September 2007. Over the next year, the FOMC cut its federal funds rate target in a series of steps. Writing in the New York Times, economist Steven Levitt observed, "The Fed has been pouring more money into the banking system by cutting the target federal funds rate to 0 to 0.25 percent in December 2008."
Source: Steven D. Levitt, "The Financial Meltdown Now and Then," New York Times, May 12, 2009.
What is the relationship between the federal funds rate falling and the money supply increasing? A) Cutting the federal funds rate increases bank reserves, which increases the money supply.
B) Cutting the federal funds rate increases saving, which increases the money supply.
C) To decrease the federal funds rate, the Fed must increase the money supply. D) Cutting the federal funds rate increases the money supply.