Presentation to the Rotary Club of Seattle, Seattle, Washington, September 6, 2011

During the last recession, credit flows suffered their worst slowdown since World War II. A look at selected credit market measures gives some insight into why the slowdown was so severe. The measures also show that in spite of the size of the shock, credit flows actually recovered extremely...

Given at the 36th Annual Economic Policy Conference, St. Louis. October 20, 2011.

Presented at the Annual Dealmakers Event, San Diego, California.

Although the U.S. poverty rate was the same in 2000 as it was in 1970, the geographic distribution of the poor has become more concentrated. A higher concentration of poor in poor neighborhoods is a concern because it may mean the poor are exposed to fewer opportunities that affect their...

Remarks before the Texas A&M Retailing Summit, Dallas, Texas, October 7, 2011 ; "We have filled the gas tanks of the economy with affordable liquidity. What is needed now is for employers to confidently step on the pedal and engage the transmission that will use that fuel to move the great...

Remarks before the Dallas Friday Group, Dallas, Texas, October 21, 2011 ; "Absent some shock, I envision a slow but steady improvement in the economy into 2012. That is, if our fiscal authorities will remove their stranglehold on clarifying fiscal initiatives. If not, then, in my view, I expect...

Presentation to the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix, AZ, November 15, 2011

Presented at CFA Society of St. Louis. November 15, 2011.

Is uncertainty causing small business owners to behave in ways that are hindering the recovery? That question is at the center of an intense public debate. Though reasonable arguments have been presented on both sides, there is not much empirical evidence to draw on. To contribute some to the...