The Americas Center Access to Banking initiative supports thought leadership, research, education, and collaboration in expanding access and use of mainstream banking services toward improving personal financial stability and regional economic growth throughout the Americas. Financial education that creates informed consumers, safe and sound financial product innovation, and commitment to consumer protection are only a few of the factors that promote banking access for the unbanked and under-banked. This site provides access to information and resources related to the expansion of mainstream banking to underserved communities and market segments.
Events
Americas Center Consumer Banking Conference: Strengthening the Financial Safety Net in Emerging Markets, Florida Interational University Miami, FL, May 4, 2011
Promoting Financial Stability in the Americas Through Access to Banking, FRB Atlanta, March 18, 2009
Publications
OtherCommunity Development Investment Review, March 2011, FRB San Francisco
Financial Access for Immigrants: The Challenges and Opportunities Facing U.S. Depository Institutions, Community Investments, October 2006, FRB San Francisco
Financial Access for Immigrants: Lessons from Diverse Perspectives, FRB Chicago and The Brookings Institution
Banking the Un-Banked: Improving Access to Financial Services (2008), Policy Research Brief No. 9, October 2008, International Poverty Centre
Research
Federal ReserveImmigration and the Macroeconomy, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Working Paper 2008-25
On the Remitting Patterns of Immigrants: Evidence from Mexican Survey Data, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Economic Review, First Quarter 2005
Banking on Remittances: Increasing Market Efficiencies for Consumers and Financial Institutions, Federal Reserve System Community Affairs Research Conference, July 11, 2005
OtherThe Provision of Banking Services in Latin America: Obstacles and Recommendations, Center for Global Development Working Paper 124, June 2007
International Remittances: Information on Productions, Costs, and Consumer Disclosures, Government Accountability Office, November 2005
Resources
Community DevelopmentWhat Does TPS Mean for Haitian Nationals in the U.S.?, FRB Atlanta
Financial Education
PDF fact sheetFDIC MoneySmart, FDIC
RemittancesLatin America Remittances, FRB Atlanta
Inter-American Development Bank
PresentationsBringing Immigrants into Mainstream Banking System (2007)
Expanding Financial Services in Latin America: "Banking the Unbanked" (2007)