News from September 2024

Farmville leverages education and tourism amid economic challenges

In August, President Tom Barkin, Regional Executive Renee Haltom, and Regional Community Development Manager Jarrod Elwell met with local community and business leaders in Farmville, Virginia. The meeting aimed to understand the economic strengths and opportunities of the region as part of the Bank’s Community Conversations program.

NCUA prohibits two individuals from participating in federally insured depository institutions

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has issued one consent and one prohibition notice in September 2024. The individuals named are permanently prohibited from participating in the affairs of any federally insured depository institution.

U.S. sanctions Iranian agents interfering in elections

The United States has taken measures to protect U.S. campaign and government officials from Iranian attempts to interfere in U.S. elections. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated seven individuals as part of a coordinated response to Iran's operations aimed at influencing the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections.

Treasury takes action against Russian virtual currency exchanges linked to cybercrime

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced actions to disrupt Russian cybercrime services as part of an international effort. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an order identifying PM2BTC, a Russian virtual currency exchanger linked to Sergey Sergeevich Ivanov, as a “primary money laundering concern” connected to illicit finance in Russia. Concurrently, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Ivanov and Cryptex, a virtual currency exchange operating in Russia.

New York Fed launches Reference Rate Use Committee

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has introduced the Reference Rate Use Committee (RRUC), a new initiative aimed at supporting the integrity, efficiency, and resiliency in the use of interest rate benchmarks across financial markets. This includes benchmarks produced and administered by the New York Fed.

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin to speak in Wilmington on October 2

Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Tom Barkin is scheduled to speak at the 2024 WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo on October 2, 2024. The event will take place at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Cleveland Fed appoints Damjan Pfajfar to lead Center for Inflation Research

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland has announced the appointment of Damjan Pfajfar as the new head of its Center for Inflation Research. In his role as vice president, Pfajfar will lead a team of economists focused on studying inflation and will spearhead efforts to enhance the center's resources for researchers, policymakers, and the public.

Yellen discusses U.S. financial stability at 2024 Treasury Market Conference

Thank you for the introduction. I’m very glad that I’m able to join you for this tenth annual Treasury Market Conference. This conference helps the government identify ways to further improve the functioning and resilience of the Treasury market, which is of course core to the functioning and resilience of the U.S. financial system as a whole. And this makes it a fitting place for me to share my thoughts on the work I and my colleagues across the Biden-Harris Administration have done to navigate financial stresses and strengthen the U.S. financial system over the past three...

FedTalk program to discuss small business challenges

Small businesses are foundational to the growth and prosperity of local communities and a cornerstone of the American economy. They drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth. According to the Federal Reserve's “2024 Report on Employer Firms: Findings from the 2023 Small Business Credit Survey,” small businesses continue to face challenges including increased operating expenses, attracting and retaining qualified talent, and access to credit.

U.S. Treasurer visits Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to discuss tribal welfare

U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba visited the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe reservation in Minnesota to meet with Tribal leaders and community members. The visit focused on discussing Tribal general welfare, economic recovery efforts supported by the American Rescue Plan Act, and access to capital and banking.

Acting Assistant Secretary Laurie Schaffer addresses fintech policy forum on AI's role in finance

On September 26, 2024, Laurie Schaffer, Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the Department of the Treasury, delivered remarks at the Electronic Transaction Association’s Annual Fintech Policy Forum. Schaffer addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services and highlighted both its potential benefits and risks.

Deputy Secretary Adeyemo discusses U.S. contributions at PGII Investor Forum

Thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies for hosting this second Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) Investor Forum. I’m glad to be here with World Bank President Ajay Banga, my colleagues Jake Sullivan and Amos Hochstein, and with the business leaders who have helped drive progress on this partnership.

G7 Cyber Expert Group calls for action on quantum computing risks

The G7 Cyber Expert Group (CEG), chaired by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bank of England, has issued a statement addressing cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing. The group highlighted the need for financial authorities and institutions to take proactive steps to mitigate these risks.

Treasury report: Over three million rely on ACA Marketplaces in latest analysis

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released new data showing that 3.3 million small business owners and self-employed workers were covered by Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces in 2022. This group accounted for 28% of all Marketplace enrollment for individuals aged 21-64.

Under Secretary Nellie Liang addresses voluntary carbon market integrity

On September 25, 2024, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Nellie Liang addressed the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM), the Global Carbon Market Utility (GCMU), and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) on the topic of voluntary carbon market integrity. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of delivering high-integrity carbon markets to meet climate goals.

Treasury hosts roundtable on supporting small businesses

The U.S. Department of the Treasury convened a roundtable today in Washington, D.C., bringing together representatives from various sectors to discuss support for small businesses. Attendees included financial institutions, technology providers, financial technology firms, small business associations, consumer advocacy groups, government agencies, Federal Reserve banks, and other stakeholders.

Treasury Deputy Secretary discusses principles for responsible participation in voluntary carbon markets

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo recently spoke on the topic of Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) at an event hosted by the Global Carbon Market Utility, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM), and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative. In his remarks, Adeyemo highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts in addressing climate change over the past three and a half years.

U.S. sanctions Haitian ex-politician and gang leader over human rights abuses

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Prophane Victor, a former member of Haiti’s parliament, and Luckson Elan, the current leader of the Gran Grif gang, for their involvement in serious human rights abuses in Haiti.

Philadelphia Fed hosts eighth annual fintech conference

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will host its Eighth Annual Fintech Conference on October 22 and 23, 2024. The event will be held both virtually and in person, continuing a tradition that began in 2017. The conference serves as a platform for experts in financial technology to discuss emerging issues, their impact, and appropriate policy responses.

CFOs remain optimistic despite economic uncertainties heading into late 2024

CFOs remain largely optimistic about their economic trajectory as they plan for the last quarter of 2024, according to The CFO Survey, a collaboration of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta.