!!! Overview [{$pagename}] ([FOMC]) consists of 12 members, seven from the [Federal Reserve Board of Governors] and 5 of the regional [Federal Reserve Bank] presidents. [{$pagename}] oversees and sets [policy] on open market operations, the principal tool of national monetary [policy]. These operations affect the amount of [Federal Reserve] balances available to depository institutions, thereby influencing overall monetary and credit conditions. [{$pagename}] also directs operations undertaken by the [Federal Reserve] in foreign exchange markets. [{$pagename}] must reach consensus on all decisions. The president of the [Federal Reserve Bank] of New York is a permanent member of the [{$pagename}]; the presidents of the other [Federal Reserve Bank] rotate membership at two-year and three-year intervals. All [Federal Reserve Bank] presidents contribute to the committee's assessment of the economy and of policy options, but only the five presidents who are then members of the [{$pagename}] vote on policy decisions. [{$pagename}] determines its own internal organization and, by tradition, elects the Chair of the [Federal Reserve Board of Governors] as its chair and the president of the [Federal Reserve Bank] of New York as its vice chair. deliberations and discussion. [{$pagename}] formally meets eight times a year in telephone consultations and other meetings are held when needed. !! More Information There might be more information for this subject on one of the following: [{ReferringPagesPlugin before='*' after='\n' }]