Brexit: Fed set to provide dollar liquidity to offset market pressures

The US Federal Reserve said Friday it was ready to provide dollar liquidity to other central banks to offset any global market pressures resulting from Britain's vote to exit the European Union.

"The Federal Reserve is prepared to provide dollar liquidity through its existing swap lines with central banks, as necessary, to address pressures in global funding markets, which could have adverse implications for the US economy," the central bank said in a statement.

The Fed said it was "carefully monitoring developments in global financial markets, in cooperation with other central banks," after the results of Britain's referendum on EU membership were announced early Friday.

Britons' unexpected decision in favor of exiting the 28-nation bloc roiled global equity markets and sent the pound diving to a three-decade low.

The Fed statement followed an announcement by the Group of Seven that their central banks were standing ready to use liquidity instruments if needed to counter extreme market volatility.