Economic Research and Data

The Economic Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago conducts policy-relevant research on macroeconomics, microeconomics, financial studies, payments and regional economics issues.

News

Fourteen Percent Annual Gain in Farmland Values

According to the most recent AgLetter, the year-over-year change in Seventh Federal Reserve District farmland values rose to 14 percent in the third quarter of 2008. The quarterly increase in the value of "good" agricultural land was 2 percent for the District.

Presentations on Fresh Water and the Great Lakes Future

On November 10, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted a symposium at the Detroit Branch to explore the increasing value of the Great Lakes region's fresh water and associated habitat to its residents. Presentations from several speakers are now available. For backgound information on the issues, visit Bill Testa's blog.

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What Are Covered Bonds?

In the most recent edition of the Chicago Fed Letter, Richard J. Rosen explains covered bonds and their usefulness as an alternative to mortgage-backed securities for home financing.

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Economics of Payments Cards

In this edition of Economic Perspectives, Sujit Chakravorti and a co-author survey the recent theoretical literature on payment cards and study the possible implications for the current public policy debate over payment card networks and the pricing of their services for both consumers and merchants.

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Chicago Business Cycles — Now and Then

The types of jobs being done by people in the Seventh District have changed over the last 50 years. In his latest posting Bill Testa blogs about how business cycles are now having an effect on the District's employment level.

Midwest Manufacturing Output Drops in September

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) declined 2.6% in September, to a seasonally adjusted level of 100.6 (2002 = 100).

45th Bank Structure Conference on May 6–8, 2009

Call for Papers and Save the Date
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago invites the submission of research- and policy-oriented papers for the 45th annual Conference on Bank and Competition. The program will not only highlight a conference theme (to be announced) but will also feature sessions on other topics. Please visit the conference web site for details.

September Economic Activity Further Weakened

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index was −2.57 in September, down from −1.61 in August.

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Navigating the New World of Private Equity

In this special edition of the Chicago Fed Letter, the authors look at private equity in the recently changed financial environment. (PDF,61KB)

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Explaining the Decline in the Auction Rate Securities Market

In this edition of the Chicago Fed Letter, the authors examine the collapse of a little-known segment of the capital markets and its aftereffects. (PDF,107KB)

 
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