Originally Posted by Jesus H Christ

...who's official sources?

http://www.federalreserve.gov/genera...faq/faqfrs.htm

The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation's central banking system, are organized much like private corporations--possibly leading to some confusion about "ownership." For example, the Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the System. The stock may not be sold, traded, or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, 6 percent per year.

It's a branch of the Federal Government. In your thinking it's like saying the CIA or Pentagon is privately held. The Congress regulatates the Fed Reserve and The People regulates congress.