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July 17, 2026
On the web
Education: Automated Clearing House Payments
The Federal Reserve History
"Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments were first established in the 1970s by the Federal Reserve System and the banking industry. Up to that point, cash and checks had been the principal methods for retail payments in the United States. ACH payments, which are initiated electronically, were envisioned as a more-efficient payment method. At first, ACH payment volumes were relatively low, and the Fed processed far more ACH payments than private-sector ACH operators."
July 16, 2026
On the web
Are U.S. Consumers Ready to Use Pay-by-Bank at the Point of Sale?
The Federal Reserve
"Pay-by-Bank, a direct transfer from individuals’ bank accounts to merchants’, is gaining popularity as a point-of-sale payment method in countries around the world. Although Pay-by-Bank has yet to become available at points of sale in the United States, data suggest that U.S. consumers are increasingly ready to use this method."
July 7, 2026
On the web
The Numbers Are In: Soaring Volume, Participation Mark Three Years of the FedNow® Service
The Federal Reserve
"Three years strong, the FedNow Service continues to drive innovation and power instant payments nationwide. Explore this infographic for a snapshot of the network’s growth, recent enhancements and what’s ahead.
Quarterly FedNow Service Statistics: https://www.frbservices.org/resources/financial-services/fednow/volume-value-stats"
July 1, 2026
Top Post
Federal Reserve Issues Initial Findings from Its 2025 Triennial Payments Study
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"The Federal Reserve issued initial findings from its 2025 triennial payments study. The information shows how consumers and businesses chose to make noncash payments, using different types of cards, ACH payments, and checks. The study shows that the total number of noncash payments made by consumers and businesses increased to 236.6 billion in 2024. Overall, the number of noncash payments more than tripled since 2000."
June 30, 2026
On the web
Three Years Strong: A Conversation with Nick Stanescu on FedNow® Service Growth, Enhancements, and What Comes Next
Federal Reserve
"Three years in, the FedNow Service continues to build momentum, empower safe and efficient instant payments at scale, and unlock business opportunities for financial institutions of all sizes across the U.S. In this Q&A, we speak with Executive Vice President and Chief FedNow Executive Nick Stanescu about the network’s industry impact and the innovations shaping its next phase of growth."
June 25, 2026
On the web
The Art of Assessing Customer Intent: Authorized Party Fraud Trends
Federal Reserve
"Fraud deliberately committed by customers, sometimes referred to as first-party fraud, is a growing concern. Fraudulent behavior, such as false claims, misuse of payment channels or money mule activity, may resemble normal behavior. This often makes it difficult for financial institutions to distinguish fraudulent intent from routine activity. As customer intent becomes harder to interpret, a multi-layered approach across the customer lifecycle is essential, starting with onboarding."
June 22, 2026
Top Post
Boston Fed Announces Formation of New Payments Advisory Council
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
"The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced the formation of the First District’s Payments Advisory Council. The council, made up of bankers and payments system leaders from across New England, will share industry insights and data to strengthen the Boston Fed’s understanding of payment issues. It will also inform related policy considerations and decision-making and provide members with opportunities to learn about the Federal Reserve’s financial and payment services."
June 18, 2026
On the web
Federal Reserve Board Requests Comment on Proposal to Require Certain Payment Stablecoin Issuers to Maintain an Effective Customer Identification Program
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"The Federal Reserve Board requested comment on a proposal to require certain payment stablecoin issuers to maintain an effective customer identification program. The proposal would introduce requirements for these stablecoin issuers that are comparable to customer identification program requirements for banks and credit unions. The proposal is being issued jointly with four other agencies. Comments on the proposal are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register."
June 16, 2026
On the web
FedNow: These Use Cases and Industries Are Poised for Instant Payment Growth
Federal Reserve
"There are many industries that could benefit from instant payments and endless use case possibilities. Here’s a quick rundown of use cases gaining traction and the industries poised for instant payment growth: Auto loans; property & casualty insurance payouts; real estate transactions; emergency payments; payroll and earned wage access; and digital wallets."
June 3, 2026
On the web
2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice Reveals Stable Consumer Preferences amid Technological Change
The Federal Reserve
"Federal Reserve Financial Services recently released the 2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice , an annual study of U.S. consumers’ payment habits. The findings show that U.S. consumers’ use of payment methods has remained stable amid technological change and other activity in the payments ecosystem. For the sixth year in a row, cash was the third-most used payment instrument, accounting for about 1 in 7 payments."
May 21, 2026
Top Post
Federal Reserve Board Requests Public Comment on a Proposal to Establish a “Payment Account,” for the Specific Purpose of Clearing and Settling Payments
The Federal Reserve
"The Federal Reserve Board requests comment on a proposal to establish a "payment account," which financial institutions could use for the purpose of clearing and settling payments. Financial institutions with a range of business models have sought access to the Federal Reserve's payment services to reduce costs and increase payment speed. The proposed account would support innovation by serving the clearing and settlement needs of certain institutions whilemitigating material risks to the Reserve Banks and payment system."
On the web
Kansas City Fed Quietly Publishes Details Re Kraken Fed Account
"The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has confirmed that the limited purpose Federal Reserve master account it granted to Kraken Financial in March provides access only to the Fedwire Funds Service. The disclosure resolves one of the sharpest questions raised by both Democrat legislators and banking associations since the digital asset bank became the first of its kind to receive a Fed account. In a note published earlier this month, the Kansas City Fed disclosed the specific services and restrictions attached to the account for the first time."
May 20, 2026
On the web
FedNow’s Role in Modernizing Payments
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
"One key part of that the U.S. payments system is the FedNow® Service, the Federal Reserve’s instant payment rail. Launched in 2023, it enables financial institutions to move funds instantly – 24/7, 365 days a year. While FedNow is focused on domestic payments, the Fed is also exploring how it could eventually help make cross-border payments faster and simpler. Executive Vice President and Chief FedNow Executive Nick Stanescu discusses why FedNow was created, how it works, and what it could mean for businesses, consumers, and the future of financial access."
May 14, 2026
On the web
FedNow® Service Network Intelligence API Launches
The Federal Reserve
"Financial institutions and service providers sending instant payments over the FedNow Service now have access to a new risk mitigation tool that will empower them to send instant payments with confidence. With the network intelligence API, FedNow participants can access receiver account-level data observed over the service, adding an extra layer of information to help them assess the risk of a potential payment. The API, which launched on April 28 for early adopters of the tool, joined the Federal Reserve Financial Services’ (FRFS) suite of fraud and risk mitigation features."
May 13, 2026
Top Post
New Fed Data: Differences in Payments Activity at Large and Smaller Institutions
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
"This commentary is based on new data released by the FRPS in March, detailing payments activity by the 100 largest DIs by transaction account deposit size. The release provides the number and value of check, ACH, wire, and alternative payments (bank bill pay and person-to-person) at the 100 largest DIs and all other DIs for 2015, 2018, and 2021. The average business transaction account balances at the Top 100 DIs by deposit size imply that these DIs serve the largest businesses in the US. This flows through to payments."
May 12, 2026
Top Post
2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice: Consumer Habits Hold Steady as Payment Options Grow
Federal Reserve
"For about 1 in 7 payments, consumers still pay with cash despite the growing proliferation of digital payment options, according to the 2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (Diary), the annual survey from Federal Reserve Financial Services measuring the evolving role of cash in the U.S. economy. Now in its 10th year, the national survey revealed that U.S. consumer payment use remained largely consistent over the past three years."
May 8, 2026
On the web
Education: Understanding the Fed: Five Things You Should Know About Consumer Protection and Community Development
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
"The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States. But that doesn't mean it's the kind of bank where you get cash from an ATM, borrow money for a home, or keep a safe deposit box. As the central bank, the Fed is tasked with a variety of responsibilities that, as a whole, promote the health, safety, and prosperity of the US economy and financial system. While commercial banks provide financial services directly to the public, the Fed provides services to commercial banks. That's why some people describe the Fed as the bank for banks."
April 27, 2026
On the web
New Fed Data: Differences in Deposits at Large vs Small US Institutions
The Federal Reserve
"A new data release from the Federal Reserve Payments Study (FRPS) puts payments activity in the context of the transaction deposit accounts that fund payments. The release reports differences between the largest depository institutions (Top 100 DIs) and all others. While the Top 100 comprise a small fraction (less than one percent) of the nearly 10,000 DIs in the United States as of 2021, they account for most of the transaction deposit account balances, 64 percent by number in 2021 and 68 percent by value."
April 24, 2026
Top Post
FedNow® Service Network Intelligence API Launching on April 28
Federal Reserve
"Federal Reserve Financial Services (FRFS) announced its latest risk mitigation tool, a new network intelligence API, will launch on April 28 for early adopters of the tool. The API provides financial institutions and service providers with receiver account-level data observed over the service, adding an extra layer of information to help participants assess the risk of a potential payment."
April 14, 2026
On the web
The Fed Is Building Competition for XRP’s Core Payments Use Case Into the Fednow Banking System
CryptoSlate
"Over the past several days, the most consequential development around XRP has come from outside crypto. On April 8, the Federal Reserve proposed allowing U.S. banks and credit unions to use intermediaries through the FedNow Service, a change the central bank said could support private-sector cross-border payment solutions. In the Fed’s own proposal details, the logic is explicit. Banks could use an intermediary, such as a correspondent bank, for the international portion of a transaction and use FedNow for the domestic U.S. leg."
April 10, 2026
On the web
What Are Stablecoins Used for Today? Estimating the Distribution of Stablecoins
Kansas City Federal Reserve
"In this Payments System Research Briefing, the distribution of stablecoins by function is depicted and three basic observations are made. First, payments are still a very small part of the stablecoin ecosystem. Second, a significant portion of stablecoins are held in bridging protocols that facilitate transfer of value between different blockchain networks; the need for this operation indicates that the stablecoin ecosystem still lacks interoperability. Third, a majority of stablecoins continue to be used in crypto finance rather than moving independently, suggesting that the stablecoin ecosystem is sensitive to the fortunes of this industry."
Education: Federal Reserve Cash Services
Federal Reserve History
"One purpose for the establishment of the Federal Reserve System was to "to furnish an elastic currency." This brief statement at the beginning of the Federal Reserve Act reflects the historical economic importance of an adequate supply of currency for payments and as a store of value. The Federal Reserve issues and distributes currency in the form of Federal Reserve notes. The Federal Reserve provides cash services to ensure that cash (currency and coin) in circulation is sufficient to meet public demand."
April 9, 2026
Top Post
Federal Reserve Board Invites Public Comment on Proposal That Would Allow U.S. Banks and Credit Unions to Use Intermediaries to Transfer Funds Through the FedNow Service
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday invited public comment on a proposal that would allow U.S. banks and credit unions to use intermediaries to transfer funds through the FedNow Service. This additional flexibility would support new private sector use cases for the FedNow Service. For example, it would allow U.S. banks to use FedNow to transact with correspondent banks to facilitate the international portion of a cross-border payment. Currently, a transfer of funds sent through the FedNow Service can include only two U.S. banks."
March 30, 2026
On the web
Mind the Gap: AI Adoption in Europe and the U.S.
Federal Reserve
"For three decades, American workers have been pulling ahead of their European counterparts. Between 1995 and 2025, output per hour increased by 88% in the U.S. versus just 30% in the 20 countries using the euro. Now, a new wave of technology is arriving. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to reshape work across many sectors of the economy. As with the ICT revolution, the economic impact of AI will depend critically on how quickly and broadly workers and firms adopt it. Will the U.S. again pull ahead, or will Europe be able to close the gap?"
March 23, 2026
Top Post
Federal Reserve Payments Study (FRPS)
Federal Reserve
"The Federal Reserve Payments Study (FRPS) is an ongoing effort to estimate aggregate trends in noncash payments in the United States, offering a periodic benchmark of developments in the U.S. payments system to policymakers, the industry, and the public."
March 20, 2026
On the web
Education: Federal Reserve: Automated Clearing House Payments
Federal Reserve History
"Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments were first established in the 1970s by the Federal Reserve System and the banking industry. Up to that point, cash and checks had been the principal methods for retail payments in the United States. ACH payments, which are initiated electronically, were envisioned as a more-efficient payment method. In the late 1960s and 1970s, the Federal Reserve and the banking industry shared the common goal of moving beyond paper checks. Some contemporaries feared "that the check system was going to grind to a halt" because of growing volumes (Howard 1981)."
March 16, 2026
On the web
Sorting Through the Issues Surrounding Stablecoin
Atlanta Federal Reserve
"One way to demystify stablecoin is to think of this digital currency as the latest innovation in money, another step in the evolution to improve payments efficiency that began in Eurasia as early as 750 BCE. Considered from this perspective, it's no surprise that discussions around stablecoin have reached the level it has now that the federal government has authorized its use in the United States, though it's important to note that stablecoins are not backed or insured by the US government. Instead, under the new law, payment stablecoins must be backed one-to-one by high-quality, segregated reserves, primarily US dollars, Treasury bills, or cash equivalents."
March 9, 2026
On the web
Do Discounts Make an Impact at the In-Person Point of Sale?
Atlanta Federal Reserve
"Behavior patterns or habits, rooted in neuroscience, are often performed automatically. For example, when you approach a cashier at the grocery store, you may reach for your credit card without thinking. Is there anything that would persuade you to reach for your checkbook or debit card instead? If you're thinking that the incentives for making a change would need to be strong, you're not alone. In a recent analysis with Oz Shy and Joanna Stavins, stated preferences and inertia lead us to use our favored payment methods. Discounts or surcharges offered at the point of sale intended to influence us to use other payment methods may not overcome those habits. The analysis uses data from the 2024 Survey and Diary of Consumer Payment Choice."
February 25, 2026
Top Post
New Data on Card-Present and Card-Not-Present Fraud Rates in the United States
Kansas City Federal Reserve
"Recently updated data show that the card-present fraud rate of non-prepaid debit cards increased for transactions on single-message networks from 2021 to 2023 but decreased for dual-message networks—reversing a previous trend. The card-not-present fraud rate for both types of networks continued its upward trend. Cardholders’ fraud loss rates also continued to increase for both card-present and card-not-present transactions on both types of networks."
February 17, 2026
On the web
Merchant Steering of Consumer Payment Choice
Atlanta Federal Reserve
"This paper investigates the degree to which merchants influence consumers' choice of how they pay for transactions. Using data from the Survey and Diary of Consumer Payments Choice, we examine consumers' adherence to their preferred payment method when making in-person transactions. We also investigate whether merchants are able to steer consumers away from their preferred payment method."
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