Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

10/29/2026

AI is creating new opportunities in payments. But in an industry where every transaction must be accurate, reliable, and secure, evolution takes more than new technology alone.

Steven Holzer is a senior vice president and the head of strategy and transformation at WEX, which helps businesses manage payments, employee benefits, and expenses. He also serves on the Boston Fed’s Payments Advisory Council.

In a conversation with Allison Ross, Holzer spoke about the evolving payments landscape, technology shifts in the industry, and why he values serving on the council.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4suxsR7

10/27/2026

Chris Jewell is the CEO of Collins & Jewell Company, a manufacturing firm in Bozrah, Conn., that his grandfather co-founded in 1946.

Collins & Jewell started out servicing boilers in what Jewell describes as “old mills that are now condos.” When their customers began moving south, the company’s main business became helping them relocate. And after Asia and Mexico became prime destinations for domestic wire and cable manufacturers, Collins & Jewell switched to moving them outside the U.S.

Then, Collins & Jewell pivoted again. Today, it’s a specialty manufacturer that builds things that help Electric Boat build its submarines, such as the extensive staging it uses when it “butts” its submarine hulls together.

The company’s radical shifts in focus are about surviving the challenges the manufacturing sector in New England has faced in recent decades. Read more in the latest Boston Fed in Focus: https://bit.ly/4iejKgm

10/23/2026

The Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey is open to all for-profit businesses with fewer than 500 employees. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.

By taking the survey, business leaders and owners contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, service providers, and policymakers. The survey closes Nov. 13.

Take the survey, or share this opportunity with a business owner you know: https://bit.ly/4xYVbL4

10/22/2026

The fast-running rivers and streams that flow down New England’s numerous hills and mountains powered its early manufacturing sector, which was a regional economic pillar for decades. But its long decline has been painful – manufacturing jobs dropped by nearly half from 1990–2010.

Still, the sector has held relatively steady in recent years. Can New England ever see major manufacturing growth again?

New England has high labor and energy costs, and manufacturers also struggle to find enough workers. They also report ignorance or negativity about the sector. They’ve responded with skills-training programs and awareness campaigns that reach children as young as 5.

There’s also hope in “advanced manufacturing” – an evolution to high-tech and usually automated production methods. It’s increasing efficiency, opening manufacturing to more workers, and creating new jobs in new industries. Read the latest Boston Fed in Focus: https://bit.ly/4iejKgm

10/06/2026

Joe Preston is the president and CEO of New Balance, a global corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells athletic footwear and apparel. He also serves on the Boston Fed’s Board of Directors.

In a conversation with Allison Ross, Preston spoke about leading the company, investing in community, and why he values being a Board member.

Read the article: https://bit.ly/4rPTZY4

09/29/2026

Thursday, Oct. 1: Boston Fed President and CEO Susan M. Collins will join Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Jeff Schmid for a panel on regional trends, workforce dynamics, and rural economic conditions. The discussion will be moderated by Neil Irwin, the chief economics correspondent at Axios.

This panel is part of the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference, hosted by the Richmond Fed in partnership with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC.

Watch the livestream: https://bit.ly/4ddzTBc

09/28/2026

The Boston Fed has added two new members to its Payments Advisory Council:

Sean Carter, president and CEO of NEACH and NEACH Payments Group

Sai Dasari, senior vice president of product platform and operations at Bottomline

The Payments Advisory Council includes New England bankers and payments system leaders. Members share industry insights and data to strengthen the Boston Fed’s understanding of payment issues.

Learn more about the council: https://bit.ly/4d68VeL

09/28/2026

Childcare, health care, and labor market conditions were key topics of Boston Fed President & CEO Susan M. Collins visit to Connecticut last week, with stops in New Haven, Wallingford, and Rocky Hill.

At a soon-to-open childcare facility run by the education nonprofit CERCLE, Collins noted that a lack of access to safe, affordable, and quality care is a significant barrier for working parents – and that employers have seen those challenges show up in lower retention rates, absenteeism, and lost productivity.

Collins also met with members of the Connecticut Hospital Association and other business and labor leaders who shared that rising prices for housing and other necessities are affecting their employees. The conversations also explored potential solutions, including creative public-private partnerships that could help workers pursue continuing education – and manage housing and childcare costs.

Read the full recap: https://bit.ly/3TqSumG

09/23/2026

Payment fraud and payment scams aren’t necessarily the same thing, though consumers want to avoid both. But how?

In a new podcast episode, secure payments expert Staci Shatsoff discusses the difference between scams and fraud, breaks down the anatomy of a scam, and details how consumers can guard against the psychological tactics of fraudsters.

She also explains how the Fed works with financial institutions to spot payment fraud trends and mitigate harm.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/4xGzPBk

09/17/2026

Conducting economic research is central to the Fed’s mandate of maximum employment and price stability.

In a Q&A with Jay Lindsay, Boston Fed economist and New England Public Policy Center director Jeffrey Thompson discusses how the Fed uses economic research to serve our mission. Thompson also describes the role of regional research, including how an “on-the-ground" approach fills gaps in the Fed’s broader national research.

Read the article:

The 12 banks in the Federal Reserve System all conduct extensive regional economic research. How does this serve the Fed’s broader mission, which is to limit inflation (its target is 2%) and promote maximum sustainable employment?