Small Business, Big Insights: What Local Businesses Can Tell Us About the Economy

Join us November 12 at the Richmond Fed or virtually

Stocking Up: What Inventory Levels Say About the Economy

Join us Oct. 29 for a Webinar on Rural Prosperity

Rising Unemployment Risks: Suddenly, Then Gradually

"AI-related investment has seen significant growth over the past couple of years, with some aspects resembling the 1990s telecom boom. The question remains whether this investment will create short-term overcapacity or eventually be justified by growing demand."

John O'Trakoun

Senior Policy Economist

Seeing Double: An AI Bubble?, October 7, 2025

Learn More >

Who We Are and What We Do

As a regional Reserve Bank, the Richmond Fed works to strengthen the economy and the Fifth District communities we serve by helping to carry out the day-to-day operations of the Fed. Here's how we do it:

Help Keep Banks Safe and Sound

We help make sure banks in our district follow applicable laws and regulations.

Keep Cash and Payments Flowing

We help keep the country’s electronic payment system running and make sure banks have enough cash and coin to do business.

Represent the Regional Economy

We represent our region in national monetary policy discussions that aim to keep prices and employment stable.

Engage in Our Local Communities

We listen and learn from regional voices, and we provide economic education and community development resources in support of a stronger economy for all.

Contribute Specialized Knowledge

We share our unique expertise with the Federal Reserve System, like the work we do to understand and uplift the economies of rural areas and small towns.

By the Numbers

30%

of respondents to the third quarter CFO Survey marked tariff and trade policy as a top concern. However, the overall outlook for the U.S. economy among financial decision-makers improved somewhat in the third quarter of 2025, as uncertainty declined.

See more from the Q3 CFO Survey >