On August 31, 2023, during a Community Conversations visit to rural western Virginia, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin, Regional Executive Renee Haltom, and Community Development Manager Jarrod Elwell explored the economic potential of Alleghany County and Highland County, bordering the Allegheny Mountains. They discovered that these counties, with their natural beauty and resources, hold promise for attracting both residents and industry.

The Federal Reserve's 2023 CDFI Survey, conducted between April 24 and June 2, revealed that community development financial institutions have generally been successful in meeting increased demand for financial products over the past year. However, challenges vary among CDFIs, with loan funds citing rising lending capital costs and operational funding limitations, while credit unions face issues related to hiring, borrower qualifications, and technology.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently initiated a lawsuit against Heights Finance Holding Company, previously known as Southern Management Corporation, along with a number of its affiliated subsidiaries collectively known as Southern.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against Freedom Mortgage Corporation for engaging in illegal practices involving real estate brokers and agents, providing them with incentives such as cash payments, subscription services.

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman took part in a panel discussion Aug. 16 in Denver.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made an announcement on Aug. 14, unveiling the commencement of a Pilot Project for a Public Technology Platform designed to facilitate frictionless credit, according to a press release. This initiative began on Aug. 17.

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman reported the SBA Small Business Investment Company’s (SBIC) Diversification and Growth Final Rule is now in effect.

An upcoming official data release is poised to uncover yet another deceleration in inflation, following a decline in energy prices during July, according to a report. This situation unfolds in the wake of a notable surge in wages, adding to the mounting pressure on the Bank of England.

Ghada Ijam, the chief information officer of the Federal Reserve System, was officially inducted into the CIO Hall of Fame on Aug. 16, according to a press release. The recognition took place during a ceremony held as part of the 2023 CIO 100 Symposium & Awards, which took place in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

The U.S. Small Business Administration issued new interim guidance for the 8(a) Business Development Program (BFPOB) in response to a ruling by the U.S. District Court, which impacts how social disadvantage is determined in the program.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) initiated legal proceedings against Heights Finance Holding Company, previously identified as Southern Management Corporation, a high-cost installment lender, and a number of its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Southern).

In a press release issued on August 21, 2023, The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announced its annual Economic Policy Symposium, scheduled to take place from August 24 to 26 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This year's 46th edition of the symposium will ce

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a recent order that both initiates and concludes proceedings against Peter L. Bryant from Texas and his firm, Bryant Capital Trade Management Corporation. These actions were taken due to allegations of fraud while operating as an unregistered commodity trading advisor (CTA) and for the failure to properly register as a CTA.

The Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit has been released by the Center for Microeconomic Data at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to a press release. This report highlights a slight elevation in overall household debt during the second quarter of 2023, showing an augmentation of $16 billion (0.1%) to reach a total of $17.06 trillion.

After experiencing a series of eleven interest rate hikes that commenced in early 2022, market participants remain vigilant in closely observing the actions of the Federal Reserve (Fed) for any indications of additional upticks in interest rates.

On August20, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has indicated that it sees no immediate need to alter its monetary policy, maintaining interest rates at 6.25% as economic growth in the Philippines slowed for a third consecutive quarter. BSP governor Eli Remolona stated that the recent growth decline was unexpected but believes the economy will recover momentum.

The Reserve Bank of India's six-member monetary policy committee is in a three-day meeting to determine India's key interest rates, with RBI governor Shaktikanta Das set to announce the decision. The focus is on the repo rate, currently at 6.5%, which affects deposit and loan rates; the committee aims to manage inflation within 4% with a range of 2-6%.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released its July Services Survey on July 28, which showed activity in the Tenth District remained consistent during the month, with expectations for future activity increasing slightly. Chad Wilkerson, senior vice president of the Kansas City Fed said that pattern is expected to continue.

In July 2023, the Federal Reserve raised its target federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the 11th increase since March 2022 and bringing the rate to a range of 5.25% to 5.50%, the highest since early 2001.

According to the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey, growth in the Texas service sector expanded at a faster pace in July, with the revenue index reaching its highest level in 16 months.