You need to upgrade your Flash Player The Fed’s balance sheet shrunk in the latest week amid less borrowing by banks and a decline in commercial-paper holding. However, the central bank boosted its purchases of Treasurys and agency debt. TALF holdings remain unchanged. In an effort to track the Fed’s actions, Real Time Economics has created an interactive graphic that will mark the expansion of the central bank’s balance sheet. Every Thursday afternoon, the chart will be updated with the latest data released by the Fed. In an effort to simplify the composition of the balance sheet, some elements have been consolidated. Portfolios holding assets from the Bear Stearns and AIG rescues have been put into one category, as have facilities aimed at supporting commercial paper and money markets. The direct... more...