What is Swap Arrangements?

Short-term reciprocal lines of credit between the Federal Reserve and 14 foreign centeral banks as well as the Bank for International Settlements. Through a swap transactions, the Federal Reserve can, in effect, borrow foreign currency in order to purchase dollars in the foreign exchange market. In doing so, the demand for dollars and the dollar's foreign exchange value are increased. Similarly, the Federal Reserve can temporarily provide dollars to foreign central banks through swap arrangments.