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Access to Banking

The Americas Center Access to Banking initiative supports thought leadership, research, education, and collaboration in expanding access and use of mainstream banking services toward improving personal financial stability and regional economic growth throughout the Americas. Financial education that creates informed consumers, safe and sound financial product innovation, and commitment to consumer protection are only a few of the factors that promote banking access for the unbanked and under-banked. This site provides access to information and resources related to the expansion of mainstream banking to underserved communities and market segments.

  • Events
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Resources

Promoting Financial Stability in the Americas Through Access to Banking, FRB Atlanta, March 18, 2009

Payment Cards and the Unbanked, FRB Philadelphia, July 13–14, 2005

FRB Atlanta

Banks and the Growing Remittance Market, EconSouth, Third Quarter 2004

Banking Development Districts Offer Access to Services, Partners, No. 2, 2008

Banking on Remittances: Extending Financial Services to Immigrants, Partners, No. 2, 2005

Banking the Unbanked on Both Sides of the Border, Partners, No. 3, 2006

Remittances Ebb and Flow with the Immigration Tide, EconSouth, Third Quarter 2008


Other

Financial Access for Immigrants: The Challenges and Opportunities Facing U.S. Depository Institutions, Community Investments, October 2006, FRB San Francisco

Financial Access for Immigrants: Lessons from Diverse Perspectives, FRB Chicago and The Brookings Institution

Banking the Un-Banked: Improving Access to Financial Services (2008), Policy Research Brief No. 9, October 2008, International Poverty Centre

Federal Reserve

Immigration and the Macroeconomy, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Working Paper 2008-25

On the Remitting Patterns of Immigrants: Evidence from Mexican Survey Data, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Economic Review, First Quarter 2005

Banking on Remittances: Increasing Market Efficiencies for Consumers and Financial Institutions, Federal Reserve System Community Affairs Research Conference, July 11, 2005

Other

The Provision of Banking Services in Latin America: Obstacles and Recommendations, Center for Global Development Working Paper 124, June 2007

International Remittances: Information on Productions, Costs, and Consumer Disclosures, Government Accountability Office, November 2005