Live Webcast from Research Symposium on Young Americans' Balance Sheets

ST. LOUIS – Those who cannot attend the May 8-9 research symposium, “The Balance Sheets of Younger Americans: Is the American Dream at Risk?” at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis will be able to watch part of the event via webcast.

The St. Louis Fed will stream the remarks of keynote speaker Neil Howe, renowned expert on generations and social change. The stream will begin at 1 p.m. CT and will be available for viewing at www.stlouisfed.org/live.

Additionally, members of the media can listen to all speakers by phone. Those wanting to do so should contact Laura Girresch at 314-444-6166 or laura.e.girresch@stls.frb.org for call information.

An agenda is available at www.stlouisfed.org/hfs.

There is growing concern among researchers and policymakers about the balance sheets and economic prospects of younger Americans, especially those in their 20s and 30s.

The two-day research symposium will examine economic challenges facing younger Americans, as well as new ideas and policy directions to meet the challenges. The symposium is sponsored by the Center for Household Financial Stability (the center) and the Research department at the St. Louis Fed, along with the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis.

At the symposium, researchers will present new information on a range of topics, including:

• Economic mobility
• Student loans
• The state of younger Americans’ balance sheets
• Homeownership
• Savings and balance-sheet portfolio allocation
• Financial decision-making
• Child savings accounts

 “It’s clear that Americans in their 20s and 30s face unprecedented challenges in realizing the American dream,” said Ray Boshara, director of the center. “We hope that by examining their balance sheets—what they save, own and owe—and not just their employment or income, we can generate some fresh insights and promising ideas to help them move up the economic ladder and help the nation’s economy move forward.”