Economic Development
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Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey
The Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey collects data on topics related to the Consumer Finance Institute’s mission to better understand how people earn, spend, save, and invest, as well as how credit markets and payment systems affect the economy.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, July 2026
Communities nationwide are dealing with higher costs, limited affordable housing, workforce shifts, and less funding for training. Some workers now value stability more than advancement, while employers focus on hiring candidates with strong soft skills and offer job training.
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Where Are the Underbanked Areas?
This data tool can help organizations (financial institutions, community organizations, researchers and policymakers) identify where unbanked and underbanked households live, which financial services they use, and key demographic patterns.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q2 2026
Check out the latest community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors. This post captures content published between April 1 and June 2026, on topics affecting communities.
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“This is a way for Nebraska to be heard”: Coalition drives responses for—and representation in—the Fed’s Small Business Credit Survey
Two agencies supporting small business growth in Nebraska have teamed up to drive survey responses for the Federal Reserve’s annual Small Business Credit Survey. Their coalition efforts have yielded valuable insights into what small business owners in the state need—and helped bring their voices into policy discussions.
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Beyond broadband: The link between digital access and financial well-being
As financial services increasingly move online, internet access and digital skills are becoming essential for financial well-being. Learn more about the link between digital access and financial access through tools and community advocates who are working to build digital skills and connect people to safe financial services.
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![[Watch] Highlights from the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shed-connecting-communities-0713.png?w=1232)
[Watch] Highlights from the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking
How did U.S. households fare financially in the past year? Did trends shift in the use of emerging financial products? During this Connecting Communities webinar, researchers from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors share key findings from the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decionmaking (SHED). Watch or listen on demand.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, May 2026
Rising fuel costs and slow wage growth are straining lower-income households. One contact noted that more workers are now requesting higher pay to meet basic needs. Nonprofit organizations continue to face funding shortages and higher operating costs.
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![[Watch] Bank On and Reaching the Unbanked in Our Communities](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/May-7-2026-CC-event-banner-image-1920x1280-1.jpg?w=1232)
[Watch] Bank On and Reaching the Unbanked in Our Communities
This Connecting Communities webinar explored strategies to expand access to safe, affordable banking through the Bank On program. Panelists discussed lessons learned, partnership strategies, and insights from the Bank On National Data (BOND) Hub to help advance financial access in communities. Watch or listen on demand.
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Economic Well-Being of US Households in 2025
The annual SHED survey offers insight into the financial well-being of US adults and their families and provides important information about how people are faring in the economy. The latest report finds overall financial conditions similar to the past two years, with concerns over prices and labor market conditions remained solid despite some softening.