Since the pandemic began in 2020, Americans have watched as the Federal Reserve wrestled with rising inflation. Promoting stable prices is half of the Fed’s dual mandate; the other is promoting maximum employment. How the Fed balances the two, and the other aspects of its work, can seem complicated and even mysterious.

To promote understanding, the Federal Reserve Board recently launched External LinkThe Federal Reserve Explained, an engaging, plain-language website about the Fed’s mission and methods.

The website breaks out key Federal Reserve functions, including monetary policy, financial stability, supervision and regulation, payment systems, and consumers and communities. It makes the work transparent using animated imagery, interactive data visuals, links to resources and videos.