U.S. Treasury
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is the federal department responsible for managing government finances. In investing, “Treasuries” usually refers to debt securities issued by the U.S. government through the Treasury.
Reviewed September 2026
What the U.S. Treasury does
Its responsibilities include managing federal finances, collecting revenue through the tax system, borrowing to fund government operations, producing currency and administering a range of financial and economic programs.
Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Treasury bills are short-term securities. Treasury notes have intermediate maturities, while Treasury bonds are longer-term. Investors often group all three together as U.S. Treasury securities.
Simple example
If the federal government needs to borrow money, the Treasury can auction securities to investors. An investor who buys a Treasury security is lending money to the U.S. government under the terms of that security.
Why investors watch Treasuries
Treasury yields are widely used as reference rates across financial markets. Changes in Treasury yields can influence borrowing costs, bond prices, portfolio decisions and how investors value other assets.
Related concepts
Primary reference
For the formal definition and current regulatory context, see U.S. Treasury: About the Treasury.