/INTERFAX-AFI, Washington, January 22, 08/ - Federal reserved system (FRS) of USA decreased the basis percentage rate by 0.75% - to 3.5% APR, the Bloomberg agency informed.

Decrease of rate was caused by expectations of economy weakening, is said in the announcement of FRS.

FRS changed the rate in the brake between sessions for the first time since terrorist attacks in September 2001 due to increase of threat of American economy recession in terms of fall of world stock markets and increase of unemployment in USA.

The next session of FRS takes place on January 29-30.

"Despite the loading on markets of short-term financing had weaken a little, for the last time as a whole financial conditions continued to become worse", - is said in the message of FRS.

FRS's Committee of opened markets accepted the decision about decrease of rate, "considering the worsening of economic prognosis for USA and increase of risks of economy weakening".

Eight from nine members of Committee voted for reduction of rate.

As Bloomberg notes, decrease of basis percentage rate on Tuesday had become maximal since October 1984, when it was reduced by 1.75% at once.

Management of American central bank decreased the basis rate for the fourth time since September of last year - in general by 1.75%.

FRS reduced also the discount rate by 0.75% - to 4% APR. Discount rate - is the arte, at which central bank is giving credits to commercial banks through discount window.

"The determining factor is that financial terms had become worse", which reflected on perspectives of economy, answers the economist of Macroeconomic Advisers LLC in Washington Brian Sak. "It seemed, that there is a need in more aggressive policy of FRS in relation of rates", - he says.

Commenting the decision of FRS, minister of finances of USA Henry Polson named the actions of American central bank as "very constructive" and "recovering the trust to markets".

Head of FRS Ben Bernanke during its last performances announced about worsening of economic forecast for year 2008, noting the increase of solemnity of risks of economy weakening. However by his words, CB is not expecting recession in current year.

Stock market of USA had opened on Tuesday with maximal fall of indices since September 2002. Decrease of Dow Jones Industrial Average till 17:35 MST made 3.58%, Standard & Poor's 500 - 3.73%, Nasdaq Composite - 4.65%.

[2008-01-23]