Moral Suasion

Filed Under » ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Moral Suasion'

A persuasion tactic used by an authority (i.e. Federal Reserve Board) to influence and pressure, but not force, banks into adhering to policy. Tactics used are closed-door meetings with bank directors, increased severity of inspections, appeals to community spirit, or vague threats. A good example of moral suasion is when the Fed Chairman speaks on the markets - his opinion on the overall economy can send financial markets falling or flying.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Moral Suasion'

Often termed simply 'suasion', it has been used to persuade banks and other financial institutions to keep to official guidelines. The 'moral' aspect comes from the pressure for 'moral responsibility' to operate in a way that is consistent with furthering the good of the economy. In Australia, the Reserve Bank has show preference for this type of policy control. In Japan, it is known as 'window guidance' and in the U.S., it is known as 'jawboning' - exercising the persuasive power of talk rather than legislation.

Related Definitions

  • Alan Greenspan

    The former chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as well as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed's principal monetary policymaking body. His ...
    Read More »
  • Discount Rate

    1. The interest rate that an eligible depository institution is charged to borrow short-term funds directly from a Federal Reserve Bank. Different types of loans are available from ...
    Read More »
  • Federal Funds Rate

    The interest rate at which a depository institution lends immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution overnight.
    Read More »
    • Federal Reserve System - FRS

      The central bank of the United States. The Fed, as it is commonly called, regulates the U.S. monetary and financial system. The Federal Reserve System is composed of a central ...
      Read More »
    • Fed Speak

      A phrase used to describe former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan's tendency to make wordy statements with little substance. Many analysts felt that Greenspan's ambiguous ...
      Read More »
    • Interest Rate

      The amount charged, expressed as a percentage of principal, by a lender to a borrower for the use of assets. Interest rates are typically noted on an annual basis, known as the annual ...
      Read More »
    • Monetary Policy

      The actions of a central bank, currency board or other regulatory committee that determine the size and rate of growth of the money supply, which in turn affects interest rates. Monetary ...
      Read More »
    • Money Supply

      The entire quantity of bills, coins, loans, credit and other liquid instruments in a country's economy.
      Read More »
    • Open Market Operations - OMO

      The buying and selling of government securities in the open market in order to expand or contract the amount of money in the banking system. Purchases inject money into the banking ...
      Read More »
    • Ben Bernanke

      The chairman of the board of governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Bernanke took over the helm from Alan Greenspan on February 1, 2006, ending Greenspan's 18-year leadership at the Fed. ...
      Read More »

Articles Of Interest

Partner Links