Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)

A 12-member committee within the Federal Reserve System responsible for setting U.S. monetary policy, including interest rates and open market operations.

What is Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)?

The FOMC comprises the seven members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four rotating presidents from the other 11 regional Reserve Banks. Established under the Banking Act of 1935, it meets eight times a year in Washington, D.C., to review economic conditions and decide on policy actions. For example, in September 2025, the FOMC lowered the federal funds rate target by 50 basis points to 4.75-5.00% amid concerns over employment.

The committee’s primary tool is open market operations, where it buys or sells government securities to influence the federal funds rate and broader interest rates. It also provides forward guidance on future policy and releases the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), including the dot plot, quarterly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FOMC expanded its balance sheet to over $8 trillion through asset purchases to stabilize markets.

Decisions are made by majority vote, with minutes released three weeks after each meeting and transcripts after five years, promoting transparency. In 2025, the FOMC has focused on balancing inflation control (at 2.5% core PCE) with labor market support, projecting two more rate cuts by year-end.