The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, is the Fed’s monetary policy-making body. It is responsible for the formulation of a policy designed to promote stable prices and economic growth. Simply put, the FOMC manages the nation’s money supply.

The voting members of the FOMC are the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and presidents of four other Reserve Banks, who serve on a rotating basis. All Reserve Bank presidents participate in FOMC policy discussions. The chairman of the Board of Governors chairs the FOMC.

The FOMC typically meets eight times a year in Washington, D.C. At each meeting, the committee discusses the outlook for the U.S. economy and monetary policy options.

The FOMC is an example of the interdependence built into the Fed’s structure. It combines the expertise of the Board of Governors and the 12 Reserve Banks. Regional input from Reserve Bank directors and advisory groups brings the private sector perspective to the FOMC and provides grassroots input for monetary policy decisions.