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The Federal Reserve’s 12 districts reflect an economy that no longer exists

Sep 21, 2022
The locations of the regional banks made sense for the economy of 1913. Populations and industries have shifted since then.
High-profile officials in the Federal Reserve System have offered differing attitudes toward future rate hikes following data that suggest a recent moderating of inflation.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Why has it taken so long for savings account interest rates to start rising?

Sep 16, 2022
The national average is still a paltry 0.13%, according to Bankrate, even as the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates.
Online banks tend to pay the highest rates on savings accounts because they don't have the same overhead costs as brick-and-mortar banks.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

How banks use Big Tech's deposits to fund the fossil fuel industry

Jun 22, 2022
Some tech giants have pledged to decarbonize operations. But their cash contributes to climate change, says environmentalist Bill McKibben.
Longtime environmental activist Bill McKibben says banks are worsening climate change by financing carbon-intensive projects, and much of the cash comes from tech giants.

Commercial lending could rebound this year

Jan 14, 2022
Business lending has been sluggish throughout the pandemic. But there are signs that commercial lending is starting to pick up again.
Some businesses are currently taking advantage of low interest rates for loans.
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Big banks set to give investors good earnings news

Jan 10, 2022
Bank investors expect continued strength in 2022 because yields on loans could rise along with Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Bank profits may increasingly be driven by trading, investment and cryptocurrency rather than consumer lending.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Some big Wall Street banks reverse their back-to-office plans — again

Jan 3, 2022
They've been among the most aggressive employers when it comes to bringing workers back into face-to-face contact.
Despite investment banking companies' preference for in-person work, omicron has complicated the return-to-office plans of JPMorgan, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.
Johannes Aisele/AFP via Getty Images

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New lender aims to boost access to credit for Native farmers, ranchers

Dec 20, 2021
Indigenous agricultural producers say they've had it with the federal government's loan programs.
The Native American Agriculture Fund’s financial institution will support the tribe-owned community banks that many Indigenous producers use.
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Demand for bank loans isn't strong. Housing loans are the exception.

Oct 15, 2021
Consumers and businesses have used pandemic benefits to pay down loan balances.
While pandemic relief helped individuals and businesses pay the bills, demand for residential loans has remained strong this year.
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How might a Federal Reserve digital currency work?

Oct 7, 2021
People without access to a regular bank account might be able to have one with the Fed, but that also raises privacy concerns.
The Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images