• Open market operations are one of three tools used by the Fed to influence the availability of money and credit.

  • The term refers to the purchase or sale of securities by a central bank in the open market to affect the money supply.
  • The Fed uses open market operations to manipulate interest rates, starting with the federal funds rate used in interbank loans.
  • Buying securities adds money to the system, lowers rates, makes it easier to get loans, and boosts economic activity.
  • Selling securities takes money out of the system, raises rates, makes loans more expensive and reduces economic activity.