Bank Notes

The work of Community Development Financial Institutions intersects with an initiative led by the New York Fed's Community Development team to connect new sources of capital to community needs. In this episode, we hear from New York Fed President John Williams, Community Development leaders, and lenders, investors, and nonprofit leaders on the question: How can seemingly unrelated problem-solving efforts be combined to achieve better outcomes? For more, visit newyorkfed.org/podcast/cdfis-serving-the-underserved-and-making-missing-markets

Community Development Financial Institutions can grow out of the communities they serve; a financial version of neighbors helping neighbors. In local and national CDFIs, a sense of personal commitment and connection drives professionals to this work. In this episode, we hear from researchers, borrowers, and lenders about how mission-driven lending, financial inclusion, and technical assistance can transform lives and foster opportunity within historically underserved communities. For more, visit newyorkfed.org/podcast/cdfis-serving-the-underserved-and-making-missing-markets

A small subset of the U.S. financial system called Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs, supports economic growth at the local level. The industry is comprised of different types of institutions operating in different ways. Each works to achieve a common mission: improving economic outcomes for underserved communities. Research from the New York Fed shows the industry is growing and changing. In this episode we hear from Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the New York Fed team doing CDFI research, a researcher from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and CDFI leaders. Our guests speak about the impacts and challenges of mission-driven lending and opportunities to scale this work. For more, visit newyorkfed.org/podcast/cdfis-serving-the-underserved-and-making-missing-markets

In this episode, series host Toni Dechario is joined by her Culture initiative colleague Tom Noone. Together, they reflect on how approaches to culture and governance in financial services have shifted over the last decade and highlight key moments from the 2024 annual New York Fed culture conference. To learn more about the New York Fed's Governance and Culture Reform Initiative, visit the website for additional resources related to the study of conduct and culture in the financial services industry.

Forensic accounting professor and fraud detective Kelly Richmond Pope describes why and how fraud occurs. In this episode she highlights the importance of clear incentives and discusses her interactive online games designed to help users understand the drivers of fraud and whistleblowing. To learn more about the New York Fed's Governance and Culture Reform Initiative, visit the website for additional resources related to the study of conduct and culture in the financial services industry.

Former prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York Evan Norris discusses the FIFA corruption scandal and why his past cases carry lessons for the financial services industry. In this episode he discusses building cultures of strong compliance, and how misconduct can be harnessed as an opportunity for broad-based learning and meaningful improvement. To learn more about the New York Fed's Governance and Culture Reform Initiative, visit the website for additional resources related to the study of conduct and culture in the financial services industry.

Joe McGrath and Ciaran Walker, co-authors of the New Accountability in Financial Services, offer recommendations for promoting accountability through professionalization and the adoption of shared industry norms. In this episode they discuss the role of shared professional identities, moral anchors, and other mechanisms organizations can use to foster individual and group-based accountability. To learn more about the New York Fed's Governance and Culture Reform Initiative, visit the website for additional resources related to the study of conduct and culture in the financial services industry.

Veterans are 22% more likely to be out of the labor force than comparable nonveterans, according to New York Fed research from May 2023. In this episode, experts working across the military-connected population speak to the reasons behind the participation gap, also debunking some of the most widely held misperceptions surrounding career paths within the military and the outcomes and experiences of military service. Additionally, they introduce listeners to educational and vocational opportunities unique to veterans and military families, and new research from the New York Fed points to developments from the past year. Information and resources from the episode can be found at nyfed.org/podcast.

In a high stakes environment where mistakes can be catastrophic, how can an organization plan for human error? When does shared expertise within a group prove most valuable, and when might it make more sense to foster cognitive diversity? Why do some after-action reviews successfully establish a consensus-driven vision forward, while others stir up feelings of shame, blame, and guilt? In this episode, Preston B. Cline, co-founder and Director of Research at the Mission Critical Team Institute, shares observations and best practices from working with teams in immersive, all-consuming environments where the margin for error is near zero.

Michael Hallsworth and Scott Young, behavioral science experts from The Behavioural Insights Team, delve into the intricacies of organizational frameworks. They highlight why examining operational processes is crucial for enhancing employee effectiveness. The duo offers insights on navigating decision-making biases and the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and psychological safety. They also discuss strategies for reducing overconfidence bias and transforming organizational cultures in finance, emphasizing the blend of ethical behavior and empowerment for teams.