Laserfiche WebLink
DISCOUNT:The difference between the cost price of a security and its maturity when quoted <br />atlower than face value. A security selling below original offering price shortly after sale also is <br />considered to be at a discount. <br />DISCOUNT SECURITIES:Non-interest bearing money market instruments that are issued a <br />discount and redeemed at maturity for full face value (e.g., U.S. Treasury Bills). <br />DIVERSIFICATION:Dividing investment funds among a variety of securities offering <br />independent returns. <br />FEDERAL CREDIT AGENCIES:Agencies of the Federal government set up to supply credit to <br />various classes of institutions and individuals – S&L’s, small business firms, students, farmers, <br />farm cooperatives, and exporters. <br />FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (FDIC):A federal agency that insures <br />bank deposits, currently up to $250,000 per deposit. <br />FEDERAL FUNDS RATE:The rate of interest at which Federal Funds are traded. This rate is <br />currently set by the Federal Reserve through open-market operations. <br />FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS (FHLB):Government sponsored wholesale banks (currently <br />12 regional banks), which lend funds and provide correspondent banking services to member <br />commercial banks, thrift institutions, credit unions, and insurance companies. The mission of the <br />FHLB’s is to liquefy the housing related assets of its members who must purchase stock in their <br />district bank. <br />FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (FNMA):FNMA, like GNMA, was <br />chartered under the Federal National Mortgage Association Act in 1938. FNMA is a federal <br />corporation working under the auspices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development <br />(HUD). It is the largest single provider of residential mortgage funds in the United States. <br />Fannie Mae, as the corporation is called, is a private stockholder-owned corporation. The <br />corporation’s purchases include a variety of adjustable mortgages and second loans, in addition <br />to fixed-rate mortgages. FNMA’s securities are also highly liquid and are widely accepted. <br />FNMA assumes and guarantees that all security holders will receive timely payment of principal <br />and interest. <br />FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE (FOMC):Consists of seven members of the Federal <br />Reserve Board and five of the twelve Federal Reserve Bank Presidents. The President of the <br />New York Federal Reserve Bank is a permanent member, while the other Presidents serve on a <br />rotating basis. The Committee periodically meets to set Federal Reserve guidelines regarding <br />purchases and sales of government securities in the open market as a means of influencing the <br />volume of bank credit and money. <br />FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM: The central bank of the United States created by Congress <br />and consisting of a seven member Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., 12 regional banks <br />and about 5,700 commercial banks that are members of the system. <br />GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (GNMA or Ginnie Mae):Securities <br />influencing the volume of bank credit guaranteed by GNMA and issued by mortgagebankers, <br />commercial banks, savings and loan associations, and other institutions. Securityholder is <br />protected by full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Ginnie Mae securitiesare backed by <br />18 <br />