In April, President Tom Barkin, Regional Executive Matt Martin and Regional Economist Laura Ullrich met with local community and business leaders in North Carolina’s Surry and Yadkin counties to gain a fuller understanding of the economic strengths and opportunities facing the region as part of the Bank’s Community Conversations program.

Upcoming Event: The general public is invited to join the Richmond Fed on Wednesday, May 15, for an enlightening conversation on the state of the economy, consumer and business sentiments, and the potential implications of any disconnect between the two. Registration required.

The Richmond Fed’s Community Investment Council convened to share insights centered around our Bank’s community development goals for our region and to discuss some of the issues that impact the work including the labor market and current economic conditions of households and communities. Leaders representing all states within the Fifth District met at the Richmond location.

More than 40 bankers from institutions across the Fifth Federal Reserve District recently convened for the Richmond Fed's Community Bank Credit Forum.

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin will speak about the economy to the Home Building Association of Richmond on April 4, 2024, in Richmond.

Western North Carolina is known for stunning mountain views, the eclectic tourist hotspot Asheville, and the opulent former residency of the Vanderbilts, the Biltmore Estate. But, as our Community Conversations team learned as they traveled an hour west of Asheville to places like Jackson County and the Qualla Boundary, Western North Carolina is also home to a strong sense of community, resiliency and innovation.