http://www.frbatlanta.org/ The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the other eleven Reserve banks play an important part in all three of the Fed's functions--monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, and the operation of a narionwide payments system http://www.frbatlanta.org/images/icon_frblogo.jpg http://www.frbatlanta.org http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q2_banks_ease_lending.cfm Thu, 17 May 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 25, Number 2. Loans were a bit easier to come by in the first three months of the year, according to the Federal Reserve's senior loan officer survey. The quarterly survey, which covers 58 domestic banks and 23 foreign banks with U.S. operations, also reported stronger demand for loans. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q2_stress_test_council.cfm Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 2.The Federal Reserve Board recently unveiled a series of steps it is taking to include outside expertise in the stress-testing process. One such step is the Model Validation Council, which will advise the Fed on the effectiveness of its stress-testing models. http://www.frbatlanta.org/invoke.cfm?objectid=C534B704-8BA0-0001-F5B9-1E1D820C15D&method=display Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:32:17 EST At the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's 2012 Financial Markets Conference, Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said regulators should avoid precipitous action and accept that designing and implementing an improved system will take time. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q2_fed_explained.cfm Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:32:17 EST A new Atlanta Fed online feature, 'The Fed Explained,' provides both original and aggregated content geared to making information about the work of the Fed more accessible to the general public. The feature launches with an animated video on inflation. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q2_bernanke_fmc_speech.cfm Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:32:17 EST Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke recently spoke at an Atlanta Fed conference about the central bank's moves to reorient itself toward being an agency with a broader supervisory focus on systemic financial stability. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q2_fmc_summary.cfm Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:32:17 EST Central bankers, finance professionals, and academics recently convened in Atlanta to discuss regulatory matters such as the government's future role in mortgage finance and the potential for another shadow banking system to develop in response to new financial regulations. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_bernanke_video_comm_banks.cfm Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently discussed the importance of the Fed's relationship with community banks, the Fed's desire to maintain an open dialogue with smaller banks, and the challenges community banks face in today's environment. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_banking_mobile.cfm Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Given the ubiquity of mobile phones, it's not surprising that using mobile phones for bank transactions is becoming common. A recent Federal Reserve survey showed that one fifth of U.S. consumers accessed their bank accounts via mobile phone last year, and that number is growing fast. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_raskin_interest_rates.cfm Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Federal Reserve Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin recently discussed the intended effects on households of the Fed's policy of keeping interest rates low, noting that the policy's long-run goal is a stronger economy that leads to higher returns for savers and investors. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_foreclosure_servicing_plans.cfm Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 25, Number 1. The Federal Reserve Board recently released plans that nine large financial institutions submitted to fix problems in their residential mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processing. Among other steps, the banks discuss how they will strengthen communications and compliance. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_bernanke_housing.cfm Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. The slow recovery of the U.S. housing market has been well documented. In a recent speech, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that while no quick fix exists for the market, some new approaches can help steer the market in a healthier direction. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_lockhart_economy_better.cfm Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 25, Number 1. Recent positive economic data suggest that the recovery may be gaining traction, Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said during a recent speech. Improvements in employment, household income, and credit expansion support the view that growth in 2012 will improve upon 2011. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_bernanke_community_banks.cfm Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update. Volume 25, Number 1. Because of community banks' importance to the local communities they serve, the Federal Reserve stays informed about issues that matter to them, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke recently said. He added that community banks also provide crucial grassroots economic information that informs policy. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_fed_returns_money.cfm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. In 2011, the Federal Reserve System transferred 76.9 billion to the U.S. Treasury. This revenue represents most of the Reserve Banks' net income and came from a number of sources. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_consumer_credit_up.cfm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Among reports of easing consumer credit standards, consumer credit outstanding grew late last year, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve. The increase was buoyed primarily by an increase in student and credit card loans. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_raskin_speech.cfm Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Bank regulators must have a real understanding of the local economy to effectively supervise community banks, Fed Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin said in a recent speech. This supervisory approach differs from the one used to supervise larger, more complex financial institutions, she said. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_lockhart_speech_recovery.cfm Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. The recovery of the U.S. economy is likely to remain tepid in 2012, Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said in a recent speech. He discussed five basic forces that are shaping the recovery and what role they could play in 2012. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/12q1_duke_speech_housing.cfm Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 25, Number 1. Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth Duke recently said she expects the U.S. economy to grow modestly in 2012, despite persistent headwinds. However, she noted that a more robust housing market is key to a strong recovery. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_lockhart_speech_economy.cfm Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 24, Number 4. The U.S. economy should grow moderately in 2012, but that forecast is subject to risk from Europe, said Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart during a recent speech. In his outlook for the upcoming year, he said he expects 'decently behaved' inflation and continuing progress on unemployment. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_banks_regulation.cfm Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 24, Number 4. The Fed has proposed strengthening regulation and supervision of large bank holding companies and systemically important nonbank financial firms. The proposals address issues of capital, liquidity, credit exposure, stress testing, risk management, and early remediation requirements. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_cra_adjustments.cfm Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. Recently, the federal bank regulatory agencies announced the annual adjustment to the asset-size standards used to determine how small and medium-sized financial institutions are examined with regard to the Community Reinvestment Act. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_tarullo_dodd_frank.cfm Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. During recent congressional testimony, Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo described the progress made implementing the Dodd-Frank act, although he cautioned lawmakers that much work lies ahead for the agencies involved in the law's implementation. http://www.frbatlanta.org/banking/highlight_111214_viewpoint.cfm Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:32:17 EST ViewPoint, the quarterly report from the Atlanta Fed's supervision and regulation division, presents the most recent data about banking conditions in the Southeast and nationally. This quarter's report in Financial Update includes information about small business lending, real estate lending, earnings performance, liquidity, and more. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_capital_review.cfm Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 24, Number 4. The Fed recently issued a rule requiring the nation's largest bank holding companies to submit annual capital plans for review. Institutions with at least $50 billion in consolidated assets will undergo review for capital adequacy. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_yellen_speech.cfm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Janet Yellen recently discussed macroprudential regulation-a means to achieving financial stability by reducing systemic risk-and the implementation of processes for identifying and responding to sources of systemic risk in the financial system. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_tarullo_speech.cfm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. Although progress is taking place on proposed capital and liquidity rules aimed at preventing another financial crisis, Federal Reserve Governor Daniel Tarullo recently said U.S. and international regulators must address pressing issues that remain. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_lending_standards.cfm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. A new Federal Reserve survey indicated that fewer banks eased standards and terms on loans to businesses in the third quarter. Only a small share of surveyed banks reported easing standards on commercial and industrial loans, citing an uncertain economic outlook as a reason. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_volcker_rule.cfm Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update - Volume 24, Number 4. The Fed recently requested public comment on a proposal implementing the 'Volcker Rule.' The rule would bar some financial firms from engaging in certain activities and from owning, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with a hedge fund or private equity fund. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_living_will.cfm Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. The Fed and the FDIC have issued a rule implementing the 'living will' requirements of the Dodd-Frank reform act. The rule requires certain financial companies to submit plans for rapid and orderly resolution in bankruptcy during times of financial distress. http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/financialupdate/11q4_lockhart_financial_system.cfm Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:32:17 EST Financial Update, Volume 24, Number 4. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing recession, there's work ahead for regulatory authorities and financial firm managers in rebuilding public trust in the financial system. Atlanta Fed CEO Dennis Lockhart recently addressed the role of trust in the system.