View All

Dec 17, 2020

COVID-19 Exacerbating Region’s Food Insecurity

For those who lack access to enough food, the COVID-19 pandemic represents an especially acute daily threat. This Economy Matters article looks at how food insecurity affects the Southeast and how some organizations are combating it.

Nov 24, 2020

Modernized CRA Could Help Build a More Equitable Economy

As the way people bank evolves, regulations around banking also need periodic updating. This Economy Matters article looks at the Community Reinvestment Act and how it might change to better reflect today’s banking environment.

Nov 20, 2020

Toward an Inclusive Recovery

The COVID-19 recession and public health crisis have hit low-income people the hardest and magnified existing structural inequities. Workforce Currents contends that timely, accurate public data on who is being included in the recovery must be a foundation of national skills policies.

Nov 20, 2020

Regional Leadership on Economic Mobility and Inclusive Growth

Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic spoke with Richmond Fed president Tom Barkin in the fourth and final session of the Shared Values Summit hosted by ChamberRVA.

Nov 13, 2020

Can Community Colleges Step Up as Engines of Economic Recovery?

Businesses in an array of industries have accelerated their reliance on automation in the wake of the COVID-19 economic crisis, leaving millions of U.S. workers in need of new skills to meet the demands of the changing labor market. Workforce Currents examines what it would take for community colleges to emerge as the nation’s premier providers of workforce training and education.

Nov 12, 2020

Atlanta Fed Considers Ways to Expand Inclusion in Payments System

Burgeoning technologies and societal changes have increased the importance of participation in the payments system. This Economy Matters article looks at ways the Atlanta Fed hopes to foster greater overall participation.

Nov 10, 2020

Combatting Economic Inequality by Matching Capital to Communities in Need

Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic delivered opening remarks on the second day of the Opportunity Finance Network's 2020 virtual conference. Watch the video.

Nov 10, 2020

Atlanta and Kansas City Feds Release Guide to Support COVID-19 Recovery for Small Businesses of Color

The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds have published a guide to help communities support small businesses of color as they recover from the damage brought on by the pandemic.

Nov 09, 2020

The Importance of Digital Payments to Financial Inclusion

As payments become increasingly digital, moving the unbanked and underbanked into the formal payments system takes on greater importance. A new macroblog post discusses recent Atlanta Fed research into the challenges associated with this kind of transition.

Nov 09, 2020

Fed Survey Shows COVID Worsening Conditions in Low- and Moderate-Income Communities

A new Federal Reserve survey reveals that in low- and moderate-income communities, COVID-19 is causing ongoing deterioration of key aspects of residents' lives, including employment, education, and public health.

Oct 21, 2020

DAVID Tool Launches to Help Alabama Workers Achieve Self-Sufficiency

The State of Alabama and the Atlanta Fed have launched DAVID, a tool designed to help Alabamians achieve rewarding careers. The tool will help people recognize which career paths will help them become self-sufficient.

Oct 08, 2020

Empowering Workers to Recover Stronger

Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic discussed the new Rework America Alliance with Zoe Baird, president and CEO of the Markle Foundation, and Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. During the conversation, they shared new insights into how the pandemic is affecting our workforce and the disproportionate effect this crisis is having on people of color and those without a formal postsecondary education. Watch the video.

Oct 07, 2020

Expansion of New Law in Southeast May Stave Off Black Land Loss

Heirs’ property can result when a property owner dies without a legally recognized estate plan in place. This form of ownership disproportionately affects lower-wealth African Americans. Partners Update examines some recent legislation on heirs’ property in the Southeast.

Oct 05, 2020

Webinars Discuss Racism and the Economy

This Economy Matters article introduces the new webinar series that focuses on systemic racism and its impact on the economy, the criminal justice system, housing, health care, and more.

Oct 01, 2020

Financial Tips from the Atlanta Fed: Credit Reports

The information in your credit report can have a significant impact on your financial stability. Learn how to access your free credit reports and develop strategies for improving your credit rating.

Sep 30, 2020

Digital Payments and the Path to Financial Inclusion

Payments innovations offer convenience, but they can also exclude some people from our financial system. A new paper from the Atlanta Fed suggests that, to increase financial inclusion, a more effective approach than focusing on helping the underbanked become banked could be giving cash users access to digital payment vehicles that don’t depend on traditional bank accounts.

Sep 24, 2020

Atlanta Fed Interviews Reveal Divergent Recovery Paths

How do the Atlanta Fed's regional business contacts describe the current economic landscape? This Economy Matters article summarizes recent conversations to provide a timely snapshot of employment, real estate, and more.

Sep 18, 2020

Using Finance to Create Racial Equity: A Call for Change

In a keynote speech for the Conference on Racial Justice and Finance, Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic discusses the critical need to confront the ways our systems perpetuate racial inequalities in the economy and broader society. The virtual conference was organized by the Atlanta Fed and Princeton University's Bendheim Center for Finance.

Sep 18, 2020

The Racial Income Gap and Benefits Cliffs

Income gaps along racial lines are the result of long-standing structurally discriminatory policies across U.S. institutions. Although laws have changed, the legacy of these policies still affects people today. Partners Update examines how benefits cliffs differentially affect minority populations.

Sep 18, 2020

Atlanta Fed Report: Small Businesses Need Targeted Investments to Recover

Small businesses in the Southeast are considering what it will take for them to recover from the COVID-19-induced recession. This Economy Matters article examines what could help even the hardest-hit businesses emerge stronger from the crisis.

Sep 01, 2020

Financial Tips from the Atlanta Fed: National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month occurs every September to promote disaster planning. It is a good time to create or update your emergency plan. Use these tips as a guide when you review your plan.

Aug 31, 2020

Bostic and Leone de Nie Speak to the Florida Philanthropic Network

Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic had a conversation with Juan Martinez, vice president and chief financial officer of the Knight Foundation Miami, at a meeting of the Florida Philanthropic Network about how philanthropy can contribute to an inclusive recovery. Karen Leone de Nie, Atlanta Fed vice president and community affairs officer, shared resources and talked about how the Atlanta Fed engages with communities. View the video and slides.

Aug 25, 2020

New Atlanta Fed Research Examines Student Outcomes at HBCUs

For generations of Black Americans, historically Black college and universities have been an important rung on the ladder of economic success. This Economy Matters article looks at new Atlanta Fed research into their role in the economy and what the schools bring to an historically underserved population.

Jul 16, 2020

Decomposing Outcome Differences between HBCU and Non-HBCU Institutions

The authors of this working paper assess contributors to observed differences between historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) and non-HBCU student outcomes. The goal is to identify ways in which HBCUs may improve their relative metrics of student success, such as helping STEM graduates translate their training into higher earnings.

Jul 08, 2020

Public Libraries and the Workforce

Libraries are vital institutions in our society, offering numerous services beyond lending books. Workforce Currents explores how public libraries are supporting job seekers during the pandemic.

Jun 29, 2020

The Digital Divide and the Pandemic: Working from Home and Broadband and Internet Access

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on regional economies have been disproportionate. Read Workforce Currents to learn about the factors that can contribute to an area's resiliency and those that result in less resiliency.

Jun 25, 2020

Evaluating the Benefits of a Streamlined Refinance Program

This Policy Hub article examines the effects of a streamlined refinance program that would allow some borrowers to refinance without needing to document employment or income.

Jun 16, 2020

Housing Policy Impact: Federal Eviction Protection Coverage and the Need for Better Data

COVID-19 exacerbates an existing affordable housing shortage in the Southeast, which lacked over a million affordable rental units before the virus outbreak began. Partners Update explores efforts to enact eviction moratoriums under the CARES Act.

Jun 12, 2020

Mismatch of Jobs and People: Do Migration Constraints Put Racial Minorities at a Disadvantage?

This Policy Hub article examines the role that a reluctance or inability to relocate plays in the geographic mismatch of jobs and workers, noting a greater mismatch among racial minorities.

Jun 04, 2020

Dollars and Sense: Affordability of Childcare

For many working families with young children, childcare is essential to maintain employment. Childcare prepares children for kindergarten and future learning and success. Partners Update examines childcare during the economic downturn, including its costs.

Apr 28, 2020

Coronavirus Shutdowns Highlight Digital Divide Plaguing Rural America

Many rural areas lack the broadband service that can foster economic vitality, and the coronavirus pandemic has put the issue in the spotlight. This Economy Matters article looks at the digital divide and efforts to narrow it.

Apr 02, 2020

Reemploying the Unemployed

Millions of U.S. workers have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment insurance due to COVID-19. Workforce Currents discusses some workforce development programs that could help unemployed workers train for reemployment.

Mar 31, 2020

Benefits Cliffs as a Barrier to Career Advancement for Low-Income Adults: Insights from Employment Services Providers

How do counselors explain benefits cliffs to clients who want to advance in their careers? The authors conducted focus groups with employment service providers to address this question.

Feb 27, 2020

"These Local Problems Do Have Some National Solutions": A Conversation about Inequality

In this special episode of the Economy Matters podcast, Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic talks with researcher Anthony Orlando about income inequality and how a seemingly national problem can have solutions that begin close to home. podcast

Jan 31, 2020

Benefits Cliffs and the Financial Incentives for Career Advancement: A Case Study of the Health Care Services Career Pathway

What are the financial trade-offs a single parent faces when moving up the career ladder? The authors develop a new methodology to study the impact of benefits cliffs on the financial incentives to advance in a career.

Jan 28, 2020

Minority Firms Have Harder Time Obtaining Bank Financing, Fed Analysis Finds

When it comes to getting financing for their small firms, minority business owners face some significant challenges. Economy Matters looks at recent Federal Reserve information outlining the hurdles and some potential causes.

Jan 16, 2020

Do Higher Wages Mean Higher Standards of Living?

We're accustomed to thinking that higher wages bring improved living standards, but that's not always true. A new macroblog post examines why increased wages sometimes heighten the economic challenges for low-income families.

Dec 23, 2019

Anchor Institution Strategies in the Southeast: Working with Hospitals and Universities to Support Inclusive Growth

Anchor institutions such as universities and hospitals can help drive inclusive economic development in their communities. The author examines efforts to launch anchor institution strategies in New Orleans, Atlanta, and the Miami area.

Dec 19, 2019

Community Development Financial Institutions Give Underserved a Leg Up

Individuals and businesses in areas underserved by banks face some stiff challenges. This article looks at the role of community development financial institutions in addressing them.

Dec 19, 2019

One Region. Many Economies.

Small businesses make up a big part of the U.S. economy. This special report discusses the important economic role of small firms, the special challenges they face in succeeding, and partners who help entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

Nov 20, 2019

Report on Heirs' Property Highlights Challenges and Interventions for Communities

Heirs' property is land inherited by the descendants of a previous owner, often one who did not leave a will. Partners Update discusses a comprehensive report on the issues facing these property owners, including the inability to transfer wealth to future generations.

Oct 24, 2019

Utility Bill-Payment Programs Offer Benefits to Underserved

Fintech has expanded payment options for many people, including the unbanked and underbanked. Economy Matters looks at some innovative programs that are changing the way people can pay their utility bills.

Oct 02, 2019

Pathways and Barriers to Economic Mobility

Maximum Employment Matters examines career pathway programs for workers and students. It also discusses why some low-wage workers may be reluctant to train for career advancement and face the so-called benefits cliff.

Oct 01, 2019

One Region. Many Economies.

Why does affordable housing for everyone matter to the Atlanta Fed? And why does it matter to you? Read our third installment in a special Economy Matters series on economic mobility in the Southeast to learn about the importance of affordable housing and the far-reaching effects the lack of it can have.

Sep 26, 2019

Disconnected Communities

A recent Kansas City Fed report discusses the digital divide, the gap between those with and without access to affordable, reliable broadband. Read Partners Update to learn about the findings.

Sep 10, 2019

Technology Extending Payment Innovations' Reach to Underserved

Encouraging people to participate in the banking system is key to furthering economic mobility and financial resilience. Read Economy Matters to learn how financial technology can provide access to financial products and services to consumers who have traditionally been underserved.

Sep 04, 2019

A Fresh Look at Opportunity Occupations

The Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity has updated its Opportunity Occupations Monitor data tool, which tracks trends in opportunity employment across the country. Partners Update discusses the tool's new features.

Jul 09, 2019

One Region. Many Economies.

The Atlanta Fed's special report picks up where our 2018 annual report left off, focusing on workforce development: why it concerns the Fed and how it matters to everyone.

Jun 21, 2019

What Works at Scale? A Framework to Scale Up Workforce Development Programs

The author examines a sample of recent randomized controlled trials of workforce development programs and discusses how this body of evidence could inform policymakers about what works at scale.

Jun 18, 2019

Small Business Lending Trends in the Southeast

Small businesses have historically been one of the drivers of the Southeast's economy. Economy Matters' "ViewPoint" looks at how lending to small regional firms has evolved in recent years.

Mar 22, 2019

A Different Type of Tax Reform

Tax reform is never straightforward, especially when it's aimed at reducing disincentives to work for the least wealthy. This macroblog post looks at the so-called benefits (or fiscal) cliff that many at the lower end of the income scale face when they consider entering the workforce.

Feb 15, 2019

Workforce Development: Driving Economic Mobility and Resilience

Atlanta Fed president and CEO Raphael Bostic, at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama annual meeting in Birmingham, discusses why effective workforce development is essential to economic mobility and resilience.

Jan 30, 2019

Southeastern Homebuilders Encounter Array of Headwinds

Though the housing crisis is over, regional builders are grappling with multiple challenges that affect housing costs. Economy Matters examines the landscape that homebuilders are navigating.

Dec 13, 2018

Confronting Rental Affordability Shortages in the Rural Southeast

In many rural areas in the region, affordable rental housing is in short supply—and it might get worse. Economy Matters looks at some experts' suggestions intended to combat a persistent and growing problem.

Nov 23, 2018

Strength in Numbers: The Growth and Evolution of CDFI Partnerships Adobe PDF file format

The publication documents eight community development financial institution (CDFI) partnership models and details the challenges CDFI partnerships face as the industry develops. The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Richmond collaborated on the publication.

Nov 21, 2018

Trading Places: Financing Experiences of Small Export Firms

Where do small businesses that sell goods and services globally go for financing? Partners Update explores the question using Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey data.

Nov 16, 2018

Credit Where Credit Is Due: Southeastern Small Businesses' Borrowing Patterns

U.S. small businesses are important economic drivers, employing nearly half of non-self-employed workers, and financing is crucial to many firms' success. Partners Update compares southeastern small firms' performance and borrowing patterns with firms across the country.

Oct 22, 2018

"A Kid Should Have a Fair Shot": A Discussion of Economic Mobility

Economic mobility is a cornerstone of the American dream. In this special episode of the Economy Matters podcast, Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic talks with Harvard University economist Raj Chetty about Chetty's heralded research into economic mobility. podcast

Oct 16, 2018

Lack of Access to Financial Services Impedes Economic Mobility

Economy Matters looks at some initiatives designed to increase people’s participation in banking services to increase their economic mobility and financial stability.

Sep 14, 2018

Mind the Gap: How Do Credit Market Experiences and Borrowing Patterns Differ for Minority-Owned Firms?

How do small business financing experiences vary by the race or ethnicity of a firm's ownership? A new discussion paper examines data on minority-owned small businesses’ borrowing patterns.

Aug 16, 2018

Residential Real Estate: A Southeast Update

A constrained supply of affordable housing and continued in-migration to the Southeast have created pockets of regional tightness. Economy Matters' "ViewPoint" looks at the state of the residential real estate market.

Jul 24, 2018

Small Businesses' Perspectives on Online Lenders

The Fed Board and Cleveland Fed have released a report that examines how small business owners view online lending. Explore the findings in Partners Update.

Jul 19, 2018

Regional Contacts Cite Difficulty in Finding Skilled Labor

Atlanta Fed business contacts report challenges in recruiting skilled workers. Read more highlights from the Beige Book's report on the southeastern economy in Economy Matters.

Jun 18, 2018

The Path to Economic Resilience

Atlanta Fed president and CEO Raphael Bostic speaks at the Rotary Club of Savannah about the Fed's recent policy move and economic resilience.

Jun 12, 2018

Building a Skilled Workforce for a Stronger Southern EconomyOff-site link

The report examines the structural roots and policy decisions in the South that created the current skills gap, and it offers solutions to close that gap. The Atlanta Fed's Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity, St. Louis Fed, and National Skills Coalition collaborated on the report.

May 01, 2018

A Growing Appetite: Can Local Food Boost Distressed Communities?

People are increasingly mindful of the source of their food. Economy Matters summarizes a recent conference devoted to exploring the economics and challenges of local food systems.

Apr 18, 2018

Beige Book: Good Times for Truck Drivers

The transportation sector reported that, to retain employees, they were offering drivers bonuses and wage increases. Economy Matters highlights the Beige Book report of economic conditions in the Southeast.

Apr 12, 2018

Seeing the Workforce through the Lens of Economics

For economists, examining the job market is like looking through a kaleidoscope: many perspectives are available. In this Economy Matters story, Atlanta Fed economist John Robertson discusses some of the ways he views the labor market and some of the tools he has helped develop to improve that view.

Apr 05, 2018

Fostering Financial Literacy and Economic Opportunity

Atlanta Fed president and CEO Raphael Bostic speaks about financial literacy and economic opportunity at the Second Annual Financial Literacy Day event held at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Mar 29, 2018

Teach Your Children Well: The Atlanta Fed and Financial Literacy

In an increasingly complex financial environment, financial literacy assumes great importance. In the Economy Matters podcast, the Atlanta Fed's director of financial education discusses reaching students and teachers. podcast

Mar 22, 2018

How Do Firms Respond to Hiring Difficulties?

Two-thirds of firms polled in the Fed's 2017 Small Business Credit Survey have had trouble hiring over the past year. A new discussion paper investigates how firms use compensation, training, and job restructuring to respond.

Feb 14, 2018

Investments in Low-Income Communities

The recent tax bill created a new incentive for investing in distressed communities. Learn about the Opportunity Zone Program in Partners Update.

Feb 01, 2018

Atlanta Fed Center Targets Workforce Development, Opportunity

The Atlanta Fed's new Center for Workforce Employment and Opportunity aims to confront labor market disparities. Economy Matters examines how the center will perform its work and connect with community development.

Nov 15, 2017

A Conversation about the Impact of Social Networks on Economic Outcomes

In this special episode of the Economy Matters podcast, Matthew Jackson of Stanford University discusses his research on the impact of social networks on communities and economies with Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic. podcast

Sep 20, 2017

Opportunity Occupations Monitor

The Opportunity Occupations Monitor displays opportunity occupations and their prevalence across labor markets. The map below highlights varying proportions of opportunity occupations across states and metro areas between 2012 and 2017.

Aug 24, 2017

Hurricane Andrew, 25 Years Later

When Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida, it was then the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Economy Matters looks at the storm's impact at the time and the recovery of the area in the ensuing quarter century.

May 26, 2017

Maximum Employment

Achieving maximum employment is part of the Federal Reserve's mandate from Congress. This infographic highlights the goal of maximum employment and provides visual clues for labor market measures and terminology.

Apr 13, 2017

Where Will Opportunity Knock? A Discussion of Opportunity Occupations

In an era when education's importance in the employment sector has steadily increased, what role do well-paying jobs that don't require a college degree play? An episode of the Economy Matters podcast talks to some Atlanta Fed experts. podcast

Aug 03, 2016

"Why Should You Save and Invest?" will help your students understand the value in doing both to meet short- and long-term financial goals.

Jun 04, 2015

"Why Prepare for the Unexpected?" identifies the steps your students need to take when developing their own plans for being financially prepared for emergencies.

Sep 03, 2014

Katrina's Classroom: Teaching Money Skills for Life is a four-part curriculum unit designed for personal finance-related high school classrooms. The robust curriculum uses hands-on learning strategies and technology integration to teach students about key personal finance concepts and how to apply what they've learned to explore options, make decisions, and complete projects using real-world tools.

Sep 03, 2014

"Why Develop Human Capital?" will help your students see clearly the strong connection between their education level and their earning potential.