This document discusses the structure and purpose of the Federal Reserve System. It begins by providing background on the development of central banking in the United States. It then describes the key components of the Federal Reserve System, including the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, the Board of Governors, and the Federal Open Market Committee. It explains how these components work together to implement monetary policy and regulate financial institutions. The document also discusses the roles and responsibilities of commercial banks that choose to join the Federal Reserve System.