https://www.atlantafed.org en-us https://www.atlantafed.org https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/06/22/07-anatomy-of-polarization-evidence-from-worker-flows Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:43:00 EST Using longitudinal French administrative data, the authors document that employment polarization after 1994 reflects major changes in labor-market entry rather than mass occupational downgrading or displacement of incumbent workers. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/policy-hub-papers/2026/05/18/03-k-shaped-economy-or-not-evidence-from-payments-survey Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:00 EST The authors analyze how consumers across income groups changed their spending between 2021 and 2025. They find that different income groups saw spending increases, but the gap in growth rates points to a widening of consumption inequality across the income distribution. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/05/14/06-automation-learning-and-career-dynamics Thu, 14 May 2026 15:02:00 EST The authors study how an automating technology affects career dynamics, human capital, and welfare in an economy where workers acquire skill through the tasks they perform. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/05/13/05-whats-behind-declining-birth-rates-in-the-us Wed, 13 May 2026 10:52:00 EST Highlighting an important but mostly overlooked factor in declining US birth rates, this working paper examines the growing medical difficulties of childbearing alongside shifting generational preferences, discussing policies addressing both fertility desire and biological constraints. https://www.atlantafed.org/what-we-study/regional-economy/beige-book/2026/04/15/beige-book-reports-modest-growth-pervasive-war-related-uncertainty Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:06:00 EST The southeastern economy grew only modestly, with a Middle Eastern war providing fresh concern, according to the new Beige Book report from the Atlanta Fed. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/take-on-payments/2026/04/07/new-fed-data-number-and-value-of-payments-for-largest-dis-2015-to-2022 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:56:00 EST Newly released data on payment activity at the largest 100 depository institutions in the US from 2015 to 2022 highlights trends in payment volumes and values. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/policy-hub-papers/2026/03/31/02-fiat-backed-stablecoins-and-narrow-banking Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 EST Stablecoins' growing popularity and an evolving legislative landscape have combined to raise the public profile of this form of currency. This paper explores the similarities and differences between narrow banking and fast-growing fiat-backed stablecoins. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/03/25/04-artificial-intelligence-productivity-and-the-workforce-evidence-from-corporate-executives Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:57:00 EST Examining survey data from corporate executives, the authors find widespread but uneven AI adoption, positive labor productivity gains varying across sectors and strengthening in 2026, and limited near-term job loss alongside compositional shifts in jobs as a result of AI. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/partners-update/2026/03/24/fragile-job-market-rising-prices-increase-financial-stress-across-the-southeast Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:08:00 EST Eroding confidence in the labor market and price pressures contribute to economic anxiety among low- and moderate-income households. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/03/24/03-firm-data-on-ai Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 EST Using representative surveys across four countries answered by nearly 6,000 CFOs, CEOs, and executives the authors document widespread AI adoption with little impact so far but expected productivity gains and modest employment declines over the next three years. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/take-on-payments/2026/03/09/do-discounts-make-an-impact-at-the-in-person-point-of-sale Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:27:00 EST Payment habits are hard to break even when financial incentives are offered. Among all demographics studied, credit card users showed the strongest loyalty to their payment method. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/take-on-payments/2026/02/23/bank-security-act-report-for-2024-finds-drop-in-value-of-ransomware-payments Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:00 EST In the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and law enforcement, recent data shows a promising turn: Ransomware payments dropped by one-third in 2024, potentially due to law enforcement actions against major threat groups. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/partners-update/2026/02/20/financial-health-in-louisiana-atlanta-fed-event-yields-new-insights Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:27:00 EST This Partners Update reports on a 2025 data walk in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The event revealed state-wide economic trends and timely new information for Atlanta Fed researchers. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/02/17/02-merchant-steering-of-consumer-payment-choice Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:57:00 EST New Atlanta Fed research identifies reasons why consumers often deviate from their preferred payment method when making in-person purchases. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/take-on-payments/2026/02/09/payments-mix-you-dont-need-until-you-move Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:40:00 EST From hunting for the checkbook in packed boxes, to nervously carrying around an envelope of cash, each transaction during a recent move made clear the advantages and disadvantages of different payment methods.