Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

07/30/2026

Happy National Intern Day!

The Boston Fed welcomed 26 interns from 23 colleges and universities this summer, who are working in eight departments across the Bank. Thank you for your hard work and contributions!

07/13/2026

Understanding the economy takes more than just data. It requires listening to the people behind the numbers.

Boston Fed President Susan M. Collins and Bank staff regularly travel throughout the six New England states to hear directly from business owners, workers, nonprofit leaders, and others about the opportunities and challenges shaping the region.

These conversations provide valuable context that complement the quantitative data and help inform the Fed’s understanding of overall conditions.

In this video, Allison Ross explains why connecting with the community is a critical part of the Fed’s mission:

07/09/2026

Who are the “underbanked” — and why are they paying more for financial services?

The underbanked have an account of some kind with a financial institution – like a checking or savings account – and they also usually have lower income levels. But they still use often expensive “alternative financial services,” such as payday loans or retail bill pay.

In a new article, Boston Fed payments analyst Brian Clarke explores what’s pushing this group toward more expensive financial products. He also discusses the Bank’s new resource center, including a data tool that can help financial institutions create similar services at lower cost.

Learn more:

The underbanked (as opposed to the “unbanked”) have an account of some kind with a financial institution – usually checking or savings. But they still use often expensive nonbank “alternative financial services,” or AFS.

07/07/2026

Why do countries need a central bank, and how do they support a nation’s financial stability?

Boston Fed economist Jenny Tang discusses this topic in a new Q&A with Amanda Blanco. Tang also explains how central banks address economic challenges, and why the Fed’s transparency and independence are critical to the U.S. economy.

Read the article:

Why do most countries have a central bank, and how do they support a nation’s financial stability? We asked Jenny Tang, an economist and policy advisor in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Research Department. Tang also explains why the transparency and independence of the U.S. central bank, ...

07/01/2026

U.S. manufacturing looks very different than it did a generation ago, and Aaron Brandt has spent nearly 30 years working inside an industry that’s rapidly transforming.

Brandt is the president and CEO of Hypertherm Associates and a member of the Boston Fed’s New England Advisory Council. Hypertherm, an employee‑owned company, started in a two‑car garage. Now, it’s a global manufacturer that serves industries from aerospace to shipbuilding.

In a recent conversation with Allison Ross, Brandt discusses why innovation is a “team sport” and how AI can help empower the people who drive manufacturing forward. He also spoke about the sector’s changing reputation and why community engagement remains central to Hypertherm’s mission.

Read more:

Aaron Brandt is president and CEO of Hypertherm Associates, an employee-owned manufacturer of industrial cutting products and software based in Hanover, New Hampshire. He serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s New England Advisory Council, which provides policymakers with on‑the‑groun...

06/30/2026

Could stablecoins and tokenized products reshape the U.S. financial system? This question and more were explored at the recent Third Conference on Stablecoins and Tokenization, organized by the Boston Fed and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Check out the recap summary and watch the recording: https://www.bostonfed.org/news-and-events/news/2026/05/stablecoins-crypto-tokenization-reshape-financial-system-boston-new-york-fed.aspx

06/23/2026

The Boston Fed has announced the formation of its new Payments Advisory Council.

The council of New England bankers and payments system leaders will share industry insights and data to strengthen the Boston Fed’s understanding of payment issues.

“This council will contribute invaluable insight on the U.S. payments system as it continues to evolve by drawing on the expertise, innovation, and perspectives of leaders in New England’s financial and technology sectors,” said Boston Fed First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Pennell.

Read more:

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston today announced the formation of the First District’s Payments Advisory Council. The council, made up of bankers and payments system leaders from across New England, will share industry insights and data to strengthen the Boston Fed’s understanding of payment i...

06/10/2026

Anne Tangen’s path into community banking was shaped by her passion for mutual banks, where every dollar supports neighbors, small businesses, and the communities they call home.

Tangen, the president and CEO of BankFive, serves on the Boston Fed’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. As a council member, she provides on‑the‑ground insights into lending trends, customer needs, and the challenges facing New England’s local banks.

“The real challenge is balancing it all,” Tangen said in a conversation with Allison Ross. “We want to invest in technology and stay relevant, while making sure customers can still see the difference a community bank provides.”

Read more: https://www.bostonfed.org/news-and-events/news/2026/06/anne-tangen-in-conversation.aspx

06/08/2026

The Boston Fed welcomed student interns, local employers, and community partners participating in the UNCF Lighted Pathways program to Federal Reserve Plaza last week, where the organization hosted its “Welcome to Boston” reception.

Boston Fed President Susan M. Collins encouraged the students to work on expanding their professional networks, explore the city, and develop new skills and perspectives.

The Bank is excited to host three UNCF interns this summer as part of its broader college internship program. They will contribute to projects, learn more about the Bank’s departments, and deepen their understanding of the economy and public service.

Thank you to UNCF and the many employers and partners who attended.

06/05/2026

The U.S. enacted new tariffs during both of President Donald Trump's terms in office. But the 2018 and 2025 tariff policies are very different.

Research shows that the tariff exposure among U.S. companies is much broader in 2025, although productivity has also increased – along with the U.S. average tariff rate. Find out more on the latest Six Hundred Atlantic episode.

Listen here:

U.S. tariff policy changed significantly from 2018 to 2025. That’s led to uncertainty regarding tariff costs and more sensitivity around price increases.