Various pieces of legislation have shaped the Fed’s structure and policy mandates.
Dodd-Frank Act
This wide-ranging legislation was signed by President Obama in 2010
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
The 1999 Act promoted financial integration by repealing parts of the Glass-Steagall Act while giving the Fed new supervisory powers
Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994
HOEPA addresses unfair, deceptive, or abusive mortgage lending practices
Riegle-Neal Act
The 1994 law removed many of the restrictions on bank branching across state lines
FDICIA
The 1991 Act was intended to address problems in the banking and thrift industries
Garn-St Germain Act
The 1982 Act aimed to ease pressures on depository institutions as the Fed acted to curb inflation
Monetary Control Act
The 1980 Act was one of the most important laws to affect the Fed in its 100-year history
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act
Commonly called Humphrey-Hawkins, the 1978 Act set new goals for the nation’s economic policymakers
Federal Reserve Reform Act
This 1977 law was instrumental in shaping the current Fed
Community Reinvestment Act
The Federal Reserve and other federal banking agencies have implemented the CRA since its passage in 1977
Bank Holding Company Act
In 1956, Congress gave the Fed increased oversight of the banking industry
Employment Act
President Truman signed the Act in 1946 in the aftermath of WWII
Banking Act of 1935
This legislation restructured the Fed in both cosmetic and consequential ways
Gold Reserve Act
The 1934 law was the culmination of FDR’s controversial gold program
Banking Act of 1933
Commonly called Glass-Steagall, the Act was widely debated before its enactment
Emergency Banking Act
The 1933 law was aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s financial system
Banking Act of 1932
The Banking Act of 1932 reformed the Federal Reserve’s role providing credit during economic downturns.
Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act
During the years 1932 and 1933, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation effectively served as the discount lending arm of the Federal Reserve Board.
McFadden Act
The Fed’s success led to this legislation in 1927, which rechartered the Federal Reserve Banks in perpetuity among other items
Federal Reserve Act Signed
The Federal Reserve Act became law in December 1913, culminating three years of debate
