A responsibility the Federal Reserve has is to loan money to banks during a crisis.
loan money to corporations for capital.
provide banking services to consumers.
provide financial services to banks.

Tobias wolff most likely named his short story "mortals" because the story explores the theme of people coming to terms with the idea that one day they too will die. wanting to find out what their loved ones really think of them. achieving immortalit by being "big people" while they are alive. hoping that they will have accomplished something before they die.