# Math Help - Reserve Banking/Desired Reserves - Economics Question

1. ## Reserve Banking/Desired Reserves - Economics Question

Been having a bit of trouble with some of the elements in this question...

The question is:

Someone deposits $30,000 into a local bank. The desired reserve ratio is 25%, and the bank was just meeting its desired reserve ratio prior to the deposit. a) How much of this new deposit will this bank hold in reserve? How much does the deposit create in excess reserves? I'm pretty sure I got the first part of this right... Desired Reserves =$30,000 * .25
Desired Reserves = $7,500 Therefore$7,500 would be held in reserve.

But the second part I'm not too sure how to tackle because I don't have the actual reserves

b) What is the value of the money multiplier? What is the potential increase in the money supply that this new deposit can generate?

Well I know that...

Money Multiplier = 1 / Desired Reserve Ratio
Money Multiplier = 4

So, the potential money supply increase would be $30,000 * 4 which equals$120,000 (not sure if I am correct)

c) Suppose this same bank sells $30,000 in securities to the Bank of Canada. How much in excess reserves will this transaction create for the bank? By how much can the money supply potentially increase as a result of this transaction? No clue how to approach this question Any help/guidance/confirmation would be appreciated. Thanks 2. ## Re: Reserve Banking/Desired Reserves - Economics Question Originally Posted by peekay Been having a bit of trouble with some of the elements in this question... The question is: Someone deposits$30,000 into a local bank. The desired reserve ratio is 25%, and the bank was just meeting its desired reserve ratio prior to the deposit.

a) How much of this new deposit will this bank hold in reserve? How much does the deposit create in excess reserves?

I'm pretty sure I got the first part of this right...

Desired Reserves = $30,000 * .25 Desired Reserves =$7,500

Therefore $7,500 would be held in reserve. But the second part I'm not too sure how to tackle because I don't have the actual reserves The excess reserve is$30000-7500

CB

3. ## Re: Reserve Banking/Desired Reserves - Economics Question

Gotchya, was just confused because I've always been calculating it when actual reserves is known so I haven't been able to apply pattern recognition.

Could I tackle c) the exact same way? Or would it be different?

I know that securities on the statement would be reduced by \$30,000 and the same with demand deposits because money is being "destroyed". (ie. customer from your bank buying your securities, therefore you reduce their demand deposit account and then reduce your securities)

Thanks again Capt. for the help. Greatly appreciated.