These resources can help policymakers, researchers, community organizations, and financial institutions work toward a more inclusive and accessible financial system.
These resources are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute the endorsement of any particular program, solution, or entity.
Policymakers and Researchers 
These reports explore how the opportunities and challenges of payments modernization relate to financial inclusion. They offer recommendations to better address the needs of underserved populations through financial services.
Promoting Payments Inclusion in a Digital Payments Era
This report discusses how digital innovations can sometimes exclude vulnerable populations or low- and moderate-income households. It offers ways to increase financial inclusion in payments.
Faster Payments and Financial Inclusion
This 2022 report from the Faster Payments Council offers an overview of how private sector entities can make faster payments more attractive to and usable for unbanked and underserved Americans.
National Strategy for Financial Inclusion in the United States
This report outlines the inaugural "National Strategy for Financial Inclusion in the United States," which was developed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It aims to promote an inclusive financial system and foster financial access, resilience, and well-being for all.
Financial Institutions
These FedNow resources highlight practical instant payment applications that can help financial institutions better serve underbanked consumers.
This resource outlines the benefits and opportunities that instant bill pay can provide to financial institutions, consumers, and businesses. For practical tips on how to best use “request for payment,” check out the RFP Market Practices below.
This resource highlights the benefits of instant payroll for employees and employers. It provides real-world examples of how instant payroll works and offers additional resources to help financial institutions take the next step.
This resource describes the benefits of using instant payments for government transactions. It highlights use cases and opportunities that show promise for low- and moderate-income individuals, and it outlines next steps for government entities and the financial institutions that serve them.
This resource describes how instant payments can offer financial institutions an opportunity to help modernize the insurance sector by getting funds from approved claims into the hands of policyholders quickly and efficiently.
This resource highlights the benefits that instant disaster relief can provide to financial institutions and consumers. It gives real-world examples of how instant payments can provide immediate access to funds for communities in need.
These practical tools support financial institutions in executing inclusive payment solutions that meet the emerging needs of U.S. consumers.
The rise of scams can be particularly harmful for those who are financially vulnerable. These resources help drive knowledge about scams and improvements in payments security, so financial institutions can better protect their customers and their organization.
Request for payment (RFP) is an instant payments feature that financial institutions can use to support last-minute bill-pay options for consumers and small businesses. This resource offers practical guidelines for establishing consistent customer experiences for RFP senders and receivers.
This resource provides design guidance around emerging technologies – like AI chatbots and automated financial management software – for financial institutions and other organizations that offer financial services to populations living on low and moderate incomes.
Community Organizations
These resources are geared toward those who work in or are interested in community development.
Fed Communities
Fed Communities is a collaboration among the 12 Federal Reserve Banks. Federal Reserve community development teams help promote economic growth and financial stability in low- and moderate-income communities across the U.S. through applied research, public programs, outreach, and technical assistance.
Community development at the Boston Fed
Learn more about research and community development initiatives that support progress in low- and moderate-income communities in New England.
An Economy That Works for All event series
The New York Fed annually convenes community members to highlight key issues and offer strategies for strengthening households’ financial health.
Thought Leaders and Market Innovators
These resources are available for practitioners who are interested in shaping the future of financial services and supporting an economy that works for all through payments.
2026 Technology-Enabled Disruption Conference: Shaping the Future of Finance and Payments
The Technology-Enabled Disruption Conference series explores technological innovations and their economic impact on the broader economy. The 2026 event focused on how technology innovations are disrupting the financial industry and shaping the future of finance and payments, and what these advancements could mean for financial inclusion.
Conference: Unleashing a Financially Inclusive Future
The Federal Reserve Board hosted its second annual financial inclusion conference, "Unleashing a Financially Inclusive Future," on July 15, 2025. Recordings of the conference sessions are available online and feature Fed leaders, academics, industry stakeholders, and community organizations.
Inclusive Payments Resource Center
Instant payments provide new opportunities to reach unbanked and underbanked households. The Inclusive Payments Resource Center offers information to help organizations better understand these populations, the financial services they rely on, and what they value in their payment experiences.