What requirement did the Federal Reserve Act impose on nationally chartered banks?

• A. Become members of the Federal Reserve System
• B. Issue silver coins
• C. Keep deposits uninsured
• D. Operate under state-level supervision only

Answer: (A)

Becoming members of the Federal Reserve System is what the Federal Reserve Act required for nationally chartered banks. The act created the Federal Reserve and made national banks part of this system, meaning they had to join, own stock in their regional Federal Reserve Bank, and follow Fed rules and supervision. This setup gives member banks access to the Fed’s tools and helps coordinate monetary policy across the country. The other options don’t fit: issuing silver coins is handled by the Mint, not the Fed; deposit insurance came later with the FDIC; and nationally chartered banks are not limited to state-level supervision.