Economic Research - Economic Research and Data, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

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

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Does Education Improve Health?

In this edition of Economic Perspectives, senior economist Bhashkar Mazumder considers the advent of compulsory school laws in the early twentieth century to determine the effects of schooling on health.

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The Role of Insurance in Low-Income Households

This edition of the Chicago Fed Letter looks at the connections among insurance, wealth building and preservation and financial access for low-income consumers.

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Regions without Borders?

Vice president and director of regional programs Bill Testa blogs about the potential benefits of addressing the global economy through regional, rather than state, policy.

Midwest Manufacturing Output Is Down in March

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) declined 0.7% in March, to a seasonally adjusted level of 107.6 (2002 = 100).

March Economic Activity Still Slow

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index was −0.78 in March, up from −1.28 in February.

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Looking at Economic Trends and the CFNAI

This Chicago Fed Letter explores an experimental methodology for the Chicago Fed National Activity Index.

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Bernanke to Speak at Bank Structure Conference

Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will be the opening keynote speaker at the 44th annual Bank Structure Conference. This year's conference theme is Credit Market Turmoil: Causes, Consequences and Cures. It will be held May 14–16 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Chicago.

Speakers at this year's conference will address the causes of the turmoil, the role of subprime mortgages in initiating the problem and the potential influence going forward, the role of securitization and other financial innovations and public policy efforts to address the problems. Seating is limited so please register early.

Dynamic Maps of Nonprime Mortgage Conditions in the United States

As part of its response to rising foreclosures, the Federal Reserve System offers dynamic maps through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that show conditions and density of owner-occupied subprime mortgage loans for the states, counties and zip codes in the United States. The maps are based on data for owner-occupied mortgage loans that have been securitized into a product that is categorized as subprime, based on the grade assigned to the security. The underlying data will be updated periodically.

Save the Date
Eleventh Annual International Banking Conference

The European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will co-sponsor the Fed's eleventh annual International Banking Conference titled The Credit Market Turmoil of 2007–08: Implications for Public Policy on September 25–26, 2008. Please visit the web site to check for updates on the conference.

Blogs

The Midwest Economy

Research Vice President Bill Testa blogs about research endeavors that examine the shifting trends in the Midwest economy.

Notional Pensions: Does Sweden Have the Answer?

Senior economist and economic advisor Rick Mattoon blogs on the effects of changing demographics on the Swedish pension system.