https://www.atlantafed.org en-us https://www.atlantafed.org 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/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/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.  https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/policy-hub-papers/2026/02/02/01-geographic-inequality-in-food-inflation Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:00 EST Using scanner data to measure food inflation across regions with different income levels, the authors find that poorer metropolitan statistical areas experience higher food inflation than richer ones do, partly because of higher retailer concentration in poorer areas. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2026/01/12/01-evolution-of-us-educational-mobility-over-the-20th-century-and-the-role-of-public-education Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:33:00 EST Using two new large-scale linked datasets, the authors examine the evolution of intergenerational educational mobility in the United States during the 20th century and the role that investments in public education have played in shaping these long-run trends. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/take-on-payments/2026/01/12/why-do-businesses-still-use-paper-checks Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:46:00 EST Data from the Federal Reserve’s 2024 Payments Insight study reveal how payment preferences shift dramatically with company size showing an inverse relationship between firm size and check usage. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/working-papers/2025/11/06/15-geospatial-heterogeneity-in-inflation-market-concentration-story Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:25:00 EST Examining how inflation varies across regions with different income levels, the authors show that from 2006 to 2020, poorer metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) experienced higher food inflation compared to wealthier MSAs. The authors identity a causal link between market concentration and inflation by exploiting the 2014–15 bird flu episode. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/partners-update/2025/10/14/small-business-credit-survey-the-2025-southeast-insights Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:06:00 EST Analysis of the 2024 Small Business Credit Survey is available now. Read this article for an introduction to our infographic fact sheets, profiling eight geographies within the Atlanta Fed’s Sixth District and summarizing key findings from the 2024 SBCS. https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/publications/workforce-currents/2025/11/05/02-will-tight-labor-markets-be-the-new-normal Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 EST Declining immigration and overall population, an aging workforce these are some of the factors contributing to a tight labor market. Will expanding the effective labor supply be the solution? This article explores options for easing the labor market strain.