It is responsible for formulating and executing monetary policy, supervising and regulating depository institutions, providing an elastic currency, assisting the federal government's financing operations and serving as the banker for the U.S. government. The New York Federal Reserve Bank issues US currency to other banks. In addition, it has important roles in operating the nation's payment systems. It houses hundreds of billions of dollars of gold and securities within its vaults. Beneath the Federal Reserve Bank is a vault that is used for storing gold which is owned by various nations. Each nation's gold is housed in a separate compartment guarded by 90-ton doors. The New York Fed is also responsible for intervening in foreign exchange markets to achieve dollar exchange rate policy objectives and to counter disorderly conditions in foreign exchange markets. Dollars are sold in exchange for foreign currency if the goal is to counter upward pressure on the dollar. If the objective is to counter downward pressure, dollars are purchased through the sale of foreign currency. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York also serves as fiscal agent in the United States for foreign central banks and official international financial organizations. It acts as the primary contact with other foreign central banks. New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street (near Wall Street)
(212) 656-5168
Visitors' gallery open 9am - 4:30pm (last admission: 2:45pm)
Self-guided tours are available weekdays from 9am to 4:30 pm
Closed: public holidays

The New York Stock exchange began as a simple gathering area around a buttonwood tree which grew at 68 Wall Street. It was here, in 1792, that 24 traders agreed to deal only with each other. At that time, admission to the exchange cost $25 dollars. Today it can cost one million dollars and a rigorous test of suitability is required. Through the public viewing gallery, visitors can watch the hustle and bustle of the traders on the trading floor. Over the years, the stock exchange has seen numerous "bear markets" (slumps) and "bull markets" (booms). On October 29, 1929, the stock market suffered one of its worst market crashes. Contrary to popular belief, traders did not jump out windows in panic. Throughout the years, the advance of technology has produced many changes at the stock exchange. The ticker tape machine, introduced in the 1870's, printed out up-to-the-minute details of purchase prices on ribbons of paper tape. The microchip has turned a once-local market into a global one. Using the advanced SuperDot computer, who's wiring is carried overhead in pipes made of gold, over 200 million shares are traded each day for more than 2,000 companies.