ThinkTankWeekly

The Fed’s Defenses of Interest on Reserves Are Flawed

CATO | 2026-02-25 | economy

Topics: United States

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English Summary

CATO argues that the Federal Reserve's Interest on Reserves (IOR) framework is a flawed and 'dangerous' tool that distorts private lending and reduces Treasury remittances. The article refutes Fed claims that IOR is cost-neutral and necessary for interest rate control, highlighting significant recent operating losses and the destruction of the interbank lending market. To address these issues, the author recommends a gradual 10-to-15-year reduction of the Fed's balance sheet to restore a traditional corridor system. The findings suggest that Congress should implement serious monetary reforms rather than treating the Fed as an infallible institution.

中文摘要

卡托研究所(CATO)指出,聯準會(Fed)的準備金利息(IOR)框架是一項存在缺陷且「危險」的工具,扭曲了私人借貸並減少了上繳財政部的收益。文章反駁了聯準會聲稱 IOR 具備成本中性且為利率控制所必需的觀點,並強調了近期嚴重的營運虧損以及銀行同業拆借市場的破壞。為解決這些問題,作者建議在 10 至 15 年間逐步縮減聯準會的資產負債表,以恢復傳統的利率走廊制度。研究結果顯示,國會應推動嚴肅的貨幣改革,而非將聯準會視為無懈可擊的機構。

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