Fed's Balance Sheet Grows Above $3 Trillion

Total assets of Fed's balance sheet broke through $3 trillion last week, hitting a new high, as securities purchases are stepped up (including treasuries).

Fed's balance sheet as of 1/16/13 (source: FRB)

And for the first time since this program was launched it is starting to have a material impact on bank reserves (the dynamic component of the monetary base), which spiked last week.

Reserve balances with Federal Reserve Banks (source: FRB)

As discussed earlier (see post), 2013 will look quite different from last year. The monetary base will be expanded dramatically as long as the current securities purchases program is in place. "Money printing" is in now full swing.

Source: Sober Look