Moody's Talks - Inside Economics The "Best" Bicentennial Episode
Jan 24, 2025
Wayne Best, Chief Economist at Visa, joins to discuss the current landscape of the American consumer. He dives into Visa’s Spending Momentum Index, illustrating how inflation impacts spending across different income levels. The discussion also addresses trends in delinquency rates and the wealth effect on affluent consumers. Best shares insights on the challenges faced by lower-income households and the implications of Trump's economic policies, blending serious analysis with celebratory humor as the hosts mark their 200th milestone.
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Podcast Anniversary and Early Career Anecdotes
- Moody's Talks podcast celebrates its 200th episode with Wayne Best, Visa's Chief Economist.
- They reminisce about early career experiences and consulting projects involving First Card.
Consumer Spending and SMI
- The American consumer drives economic growth, performing well currently.
- Wayne Best discusses Visa's Spending Momentum Index (SMI) and its implications for different income groups.
Understanding the SMI
- The SMI reveals spending momentum by tracking changes in spending levels year over year.
- It's granular, timely, and available for 100 countries.