Getting to Know the St. Louis Fed
The St. Louis Fed is one of 12 regional Reserve banks that make up the Federal Reserve System, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., and the Federal Open Market Committee, the Fed’s monetary policymaking body.
The St. Louis Fed’s Economy Museum has activities for people of all ages to learn more about the history and functions of the Federal Reserve. Come explore and have fun!
The Federal Reserve is dedicated to providing the nation with a safe, flexible and stable monetary and financial system. How does the St. Louis Fed help do that important work?
A short video welcoming visitors to our Economy Museum explains the Federal Reserve’s structure and St. Louis Fed employees’ work. Check out some highlights below.
Where Are the 12 Federal Reserve Banks?
The Federal Reserve banks are spread across the United States, and some have branches. The head office cities and the districts the Reserve banks serve are:
- First District: Boston
- Second District: New York
- Third District: Philadelphia
- Fourth District: Cleveland
- Fifth District: Richmond
- Sixth District: Atlanta
- Seventh District: Chicago
- Eighth District: St. Louis
- Ninth District: Minneapolis
- Tenth District: Kansas City
- Eleventh District: Dallas
- Twelfth District: San Francisco
Narrator: The St. Louis Fed is part of the Federal Reserve System, which includes 12 independent regional Reserve banks, along with a Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.
The Fed’s decentralized, regional structure ensures that the economic conditions of communities and industries from all parts of the nation are taken into account in promoting a healthy economy.
St. Louis serves as headquarters for the Eighth Federal Reserve District, with branch offices in Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis. Our District covers all or parts of seven states—Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, and we represent the diverse people who make our communities thrive.
What Is the St. Louis Fed’s District Like?
The Eighth Federal Reserve District is centrally located. The St. Louis Fed’s 100-year-old headquarters building is in the heart of downtown St. Louis near the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse and Busch Stadium. Our three branch offices are in Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis.
Overall, the Eighth District has about 15 million people, and our employees work every day to serve them. Key industries in the District include agribusiness, health care, real estate and transportation. Watch the clip for more about what makes our region special.
Narrator: A river runs through us. Actually, several do. Our central location makes us a distribution hub for all modes of transportation. You might even call us a Gateway—a region where innovation and ingenuity thrive.
Those same qualities define who we are and what we do at the St. Louis Fed, an organization where employees have worked hard to promote a healthy economy and financial stability for more than a century.
What Does the St. Louis Fed Do?
The St. Louis Fed is committed to promoting a strong and resilient economy for all, and its mission statement covers the work done in support of that commitment. The St. Louis Fed is a trusted partner in:
- Conducting the nation’s monetary policy
- Fostering a safe, sound and stable financial system
- Advancing a safe, efficient and accessible payments system
- Promoting consumer protection and community development
- Supporting the United States Treasury as a fiscal agent
Key roles include those of economists and bank examiners. Watch the next clip to learn more.
Narrator: Our world-class economists perform cutting-edge research that enables better understanding of the economy and monetary policy.
Our bank examiners help to ensure safe, sound and competitive practices in the U.S. banking system. That means you can feel confident that the money you deposit in your bank will be there when you need it.
Through the services we provide to the U.S. Treasury, we help support financial integrity and efficiency in the federal government. We also examine the challenges facing communities, especially the most vulnerable, as we strive to create an economy that works for everyone.
Want to learn more? Visit us online.
This blog explains everyday economics and the Fed, while also spotlighting St. Louis Fed people and programs. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the St. Louis Fed or Federal Reserve System.
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