Which is a primary function of modern central banks?

The primary function of modern central banks is to control the availability of money and credit within the economy. This involves setting monetary policy, which includes managing interest rates and influencing the money supply. By adjusting these elements, central banks can help stabilize the economy, manage inflation, and promote employment.

Central banks use various tools, such as open market operations, reserve requirements, and discount rates, to influence how much money is circulating in the economy. This control over money and credit availability is crucial because it affects borrowing, spending, and investment behavior within the economy, ultimately impacting economic growth and stability.

Functions like controlling securities markets or managing fiscal policy, while important, are not typically primary responsibilities of central banks. Controlling the government's budget is the role of fiscal authorities, such as the treasury, rather than the central bank. Thus, the focus on managing the money supply and credit availability is a fundamental aspect of a central bank's role in modern economies.