Monetary Policy & Economic Research

Perspectives on the national and New England economies that inform the Federal Reserve’s policymaking

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New England Economic Indicators, Q2 2021

Snapshot of the New England economy through June 28, 2021

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Fed study explores the drivers of inflation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Findings show the dynamics of supply and demand play a key factor

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Young couple calculating their mortgage bills due to the pandemic at home.

Fed study: Minority borrowers bore brunt of COVID-19’s impact on the mortgage market

New research finds Black homeowners were more likely to miss payments, less likely to refinance

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What We Do

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Monetary Policy

Our research economists provide forecasts, analysis, research, and informed perspectives to our Bank President and Board of Directors to support them in their deliberations on the nation’s monetary policymaking.

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Economic Research

Key areas of focus include; Macroeconomics/Monetary Policy, Financial Stability, and Regional Studies.

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Regional Outreach

We monitor the region's economy in real time and exchange ideas with local business and labor leaders, governments, organizations, and consumers and contribute to policy discussions with policymakers in New England.

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Centers & Groups

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New England Public Policy Center

The Boston Fed’s New England Public Policy Center promotes better public policy in New England by conducting and disseminating objective, high-quality research and analysis of strategically identified regional economic and policy issues.

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Consumer Payments Research Center

The Consumer Payments Research Center was closed on May 31, 2018. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s research department has assumed ownership of the CPRC data program. Click on the heading for details and new URLs.

Publications & Data

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Research Department Working Papers

Series

Research Department Working Papers

Papers presenting empirical and/or theoretical research by Boston Fed economists on topics in macro and monetary economics, finance, public policy, and other fields

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Current Policy Perspectives

Series

Current Policy Perspectives

Reports by Boston Fed economists and researchers that provide policymakers and the public with economic analysis of issues at the regional, federal, or global level

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New England Economic Indicators

Series

New England Economic Indicators

A data resource assembled by the Boston Fed’s New England Public Policy Center that provides current and historical economic data for each of the region’s six states, its large metropolitan areas, New England as a whole, and the United States
Breaking the Implicit Contract: Using Pension Freezes to Study Lifetime Labor Supply

2021 • 21–7

Research Department Working Papers

Breaking the Implicit Contract: Using Pension Freezes to Study Lifetime Labor Supply

by Dhiren Patki

Wealth Concentration in the United States Using an Expanded Measure of Net Worth

2021 • 21–6

Research Department Working Papers

Wealth Concentration in the United States Using an Expanded Measure of Net Worth

by Lindsay Jacobs, Elizabeth Llanes, Kevin Moore, Jeffrey P. Thompson, and Alice Henriques Volz

Q2 2021: Snapshot of the New England Economy through June 28, 2021

2021

New England Economic Indicators

Q2 2021: Snapshot of the New England Economy through June 28, 2021

by Riley Sullivan

The Drivers of Inflation Dynamics during the Pandemic: (Early) Evidence from Disaggregated Consumption Data

2021 Series

Current Policy Perspectives

The Drivers of Inflation Dynamics during the Pandemic: (Early) Evidence from Disaggregated Consumption Data

by Viacheslav Sheremirov

Racial Differences in Mortgage Refinancing, Distress, and Housing Wealth Accumulation during COVID-19

2021 Series

Current Policy Perspectives

Racial Differences in Mortgage Refinancing, Distress, and Housing Wealth Accumulation during COVID-19

by Kristopher Gerardi, Lauren Lambie-Hanson, and Paul Willen

A Helping Hand to Main Street Where and When It Was Needed

2021 Series

Current Policy Perspectives

A Helping Hand to Main Street Where and When It Was Needed

by Falk Bräuning, José L. Fillat, Frankie Lin, and J. Christina Wang

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Events

Featured

October 4–6, 2021

Economic Research Conference Series

Racial Disparities in Today’s Economy

Featured

November 8–10, 2021

Economic Research Conference Series

The Implications of High Leverage for Financial Instability Risk, Real Economic Activity, and Appropriate Policy Responses

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New England Study Group

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NEPPC Conferences
May 5, 2021

President's Speeches

President Rosengren to speak about the economy and current financial conditions
September 17, 2020

Measuring Disparities in Cost and Spending across Connecticut School Districts
February 25, 2020

New England Study Group

"Effects of Sweetened Beverage Taxes in Philadelphia and Oakland: Fewer Beverage Purchases, but Increased Cross-Border Shopping and Mixed Effects on Consumption"
October 4–5, 2019

Economic Research Conference Series

A House Divided: Geographic Disparities in Twenty-First Century America
May 13, 2019

New England Perspectives on Fed Policymaking: A "Fed Listens" Conference

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News

Boston Fed to host two economic conferences this fall

Boston Fed to host two economic conferences this fall

First event to focus on understanding racial disparities, second on high business and household leverage
Fed study: Minority borrowers bore brunt of COVID-19’s impact on the mortgage market

Fed study: Minority borrowers bore brunt of COVID-19’s impact on the mortgage market

New research finds Black homeowners were more likely to miss payments, less likely to refinance

by Larry Bean

Main Street Lending: right times, right places

Main Street Lending: right times, right places

New Boston Fed study finds program provided credit when and where it was most needed

by Larry Bean

‘It’s a good time to be a woman in economics’

‘It’s a good time to be a woman in economics’

As Women’s History Month ends, Boston Fed’s research economists share views, advice on their field

by Larry Bean and Darcy Rollins Saas

How effective are masks mandates vs. lockdowns in the fight against COVID-19?

How effective are masks mandates vs. lockdowns in the fight against COVID-19?

Boston Fed report: As people become more mobile, mask wearing may mitigate the rise in case counts

by Larry Bean

The COVID-19 recession: Why it’s different, what that means for cities, service workers, education

The COVID-19 recession: Why it’s different, what that means for cities, service workers, education

Boston Fed’s Foote weighs pandemic’s impact on issues discussed on Six Hundred Atlantic

by Jay Lindsay

Landmark Boston Fed paper confirmed racial discrimination in Boston’s mortgage market

Landmark Boston Fed paper confirmed racial discrimination in Boston’s mortgage market

Paper examined contention that higher rates of mortgage denials for minorities was unrelated to race

by Larry Bean

Zhao presents way to reduce or eliminate disparities in Connecticut school funding

Zhao presents way to reduce or eliminate disparities in Connecticut school funding

NEPPC economist recommends funding change to municipal and education leaders

by Larry Bean

How far will state tax revenues fall during the pandemic?

How far will state tax revenues fall during the pandemic?

Boston Fed economist Zhao develops model for predicting state tax revenue declines

by Larry Bean

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