How effective is discount policy as compared to open market operations in managing the money supply? Explain how The Federal Reserve uses discount policy today

What will be an ideal response?

The effectiveness of discount policy in changing the money supply depends upon banks' willingness to borrow reserves. The Fed may lower the discount rate of interest, encouraging bankers to borrow reserves and increase loans. But bankers are not required to increase their borrowing. In contrast, an open market purchase of securities will increase reserves in the banking system and encourage lending. The Fed prefers to limit the use of discount policy to help banks that are temporarily in need of reserves. That is, the Fed uses the policy to serve as a lender of last resort for banks. It did so after the stock market crash in 1987 and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.