The Fed has pumped hundreds of billions into the market through 'repo' offerings. Here's what they are, and why they're back for the first time since the financial crisis.

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The Fed has pumped hundreds of billions into the market through 'repo' offerings. Here's what they are, and why they're back for the first time since the financial crisis.

US Federal Reserve Washington DC

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  • The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been offering market repurchase agreements for more than a week now, with several more operations scheduled for throughout the fall.
  • Repos are one of the several policy tools the central bank uses to calm money markets and maintain steady interest rates.
  • Here's everything you need to know about repo operations, including the amounts scheduled for release and the purpose they serve the US economy.
  • Visit the Markets Insider homepage for more stories.

The New York Federal Reserve is well into its second week of offering market repurchase agreements. Known as repos, the operations are designed to soothe money markets and bring interest rates within the central bank's intended range.

Repos are one of several policy tools used by the central bank to regulate the economy and keep expansion sustainable. The Fed hadn't offered them for more than a decade before the September sales, and their reintroduction signals the bank is ready to intervene more frequently to steady the borrowing landscape.

The Fed has scheduled repo operations for every business day until October 10, with the option to pursue additional sales down the road. Here's everything you need to know about repos, including the amounts scheduled for daily offerings and what purpose they serve the US economy.

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What are repos?

What are repos?

Market repurchase agreements are a type of short-term loan, often used by the Fed to regulate the nation's money supply. They resemble government bonds, as they're secure, feature steady interest rates, and have set maturation dates, or "terms."

When enacting a repo operation, the US central bank sells government securities to banks with predetermined repurchase dates. The offerings come with set interest rates, which create capital over the short borrowing period which was previously not part of the country's economy.

The interest rates associated with repos are relatively low, and most repos are repurchased the day after they're sold. However, several multibillion-dollar repo offerings can add up to a sizeable injection of capital into the US economy.

Why purpose do repos serve?

Why purpose do repos serve?

Repos allow the Federal Reserve to slowly add cash into the economy while watching how markets react. Scheduled repo offerings grant time for policy adjustment, as do the short-term nature of the agreements. Instead of maturing over a span of months or years, these overnight agreements aren't traded and don't see their value fluctuate.

Repo operations were most recently used by the central bank to push interest rates back into their intended range. Short-term rates jumped as high as 10% in the middle of September and threatened to destabilize the bond market. By propping up the money market, the Fed can stabilize interest rates and slowly bring them within the window they feel is best suited for sustainable economic expansion.

September's repo operations were the first from the Fed since the 2008 financial crisis, and marked another government action meant to relieve pressure on nation's economy. The central bank also cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points in September to boost spending.

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What's the latest repo schedule?

What's the latest repo schedule?

Here's the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's latest schedule for repo operations through fall 2019, according to the bank's September 20 release.

  • September 27: at least $75 billion in overnight repos, and at least $30 billion in 14-day repos
  • September 30 to October 10: at least $75 billion in overnight repos

"After October 10, 2019, the Desk will conduct operations as necessary to help maintain the federal funds rate in the target range, the amounts and timing of which have not yet been determined," the bank wrote.

It also clarified that the government assets being offered and subsequently repurchased include Treasury bonds, agency debt, and agency mortgage-backed securities Additional details about each repo offering will be released each afternoon for the following day's operation, according to the Fed.

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