日本語

More than 99 percent of the total dollar amount of paper money in circulation in the United States today is made up of Federal Reserve notes. The other small part of circulating currency consists of U.S. notes or legal tender notes still in circulation but no longer issued.

The Federal Reserve System, established by Congress in 1913, issues Federal Reserve notes through its 12 Federal Reserve Districts. Every district has its main office in a major city, and all but two have branches in other large cities. Each district is designated by a number and the corresponding letter of the alphabet, as shown at right.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department, produces currency for the Federal Reserve System to replace damaged or worn notes or to support economic growth. Federal Reserve Banks issue currency according to the need in their districts. The district letter and number on the face of a note identify the issuing Reserve Bank (see the diagram).

The U.S. Mint, which makes all U.S. coins, was established by Congress in 1792 and became an operating bureau of the Treasury Department in 1873.

U.S. coins have changed many times since the Coinage Act of 1792, which adopted the dollar as the standard monetary unit.

Silver dollars have been minted and issued at various times since 1794. Dollar coins were discontinued in 1935, then resumed in 1971 with the introduction of the silverless Eisenhower dollar. The current dollar coin, which replaced the Susan B. Anthony coin in 2000, depicts Sacagawea, the Native American woman whose presence was essential to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Half-dollars virtually disappeared from circulation following the introduction, in 1964, of the Kennedy half-dollar.

Other coin denominations in common use today are the 25-cent, 10-cent, five-cent, and one-cent pieces, familiarly known as the quarter, dime, nickel, and penny.

Banks safeguard money and valuables and provide loans, credit, and payment services. With the passage of the Financial Modernization Act in 1999, banks also may offer investment and insurance products. As a variety of models for cooperation and integration between the financial services industries have emerged, some of the traditional distinctions between banks, insurance companies, and securities firms have diminished. In spite of these changes, banks continue to maintain and perform their primary role in the financial system - accepting deposits and lending funds from these deposits.

There are several types of banks, which differ in the number of services they provide and the clientele they serve. Commercial banks, which dominate this industry, offer a full range of services for individuals, businesses, and governments. These banks come in a wide range of sizes, from large global banks to regional and community banks. Global banks are involved in international lending and foreign currency trading. Regional banks have numerous branches and automated teller machine (ATM) locations throughout a multi-state area that provide banking services to individuals. Community banks are based locally and offer more personal attention. In recent years, online banks have entered the market, with some success. However, many traditional banks have also expanded to offer online banking.

• The Global Financial System eJournal USA
• Bureau of Engraving and Printing
• Career Guide to Industries: Banking
• Dollars and Cents: Fundamental Facts about U.S. Money
• Fact Sheets: Currency & Coins in Japanese
• FAQ's
• FRB Supervision Manuals
• A Guide to the National Banking System
• Monetary Policy Report to the Congress Board of the Governors of the Federal Reserve System

• Bank Data & Statistics Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Economic Research and Data (FRB)

• Export-Import Bank of the United States
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Industry Analysis
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• U.S. Federal Reserve System
• Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)
• Federal Reserve Archival System for Economic Research (FRASER)
• The National Information Center (NIC) A list of the Top 50 bank holding companies
• U.S. Department of the Treasury
• The Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI)
• U.S. Department of the Treasury. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
• The United States Mint