Conference

Next-Gen Financial Inclusion

July 14, 2026

Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D.C.

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Accessible Keys for Video

[Space Bar] toggles play/pause;

[Right/Left Arrows] seeks the video forwards and back (5 sec );

[Up/Down Arrows] increase/decrease volume;

[M] toggles mute on/off;

[F] toggles fullscreen on/off (Except IE 11);

The [Tab] key may be used in combination with the [Enter/Return] key to navigate and activate control buttons, such as caption on/off.

Accessible Keys for Video

[Space Bar] toggles play/pause;

[Right/Left Arrows] seeks the video forwards and back (5 sec );

[Up/Down Arrows] increase/decrease volume;

[M] toggles mute on/off;

[F] toggles fullscreen on/off (Except IE 11);

The [Tab] key may be used in combination with the [Enter/Return] key to navigate and activate control buttons, such as caption on/off.

Accessible Keys for Video

[Space Bar] toggles play/pause;

[Right/Left Arrows] seeks the video forwards and back (5 sec );

[Up/Down Arrows] increase/decrease volume;

[M] toggles mute on/off;

[F] toggles fullscreen on/off (Except IE 11);

The [Tab] key may be used in combination with the [Enter/Return] key to navigate and activate control buttons, such as caption on/off.

The Federal Reserve Board will host its third annual Financial Inclusion Conference, "Next-Gen Financial Inclusion," on July 14 in Washington, D.C. The event will feature speeches, presentations, and discussions on financial inclusion topics with Federal Reserve leaders, academics, industry stakeholders, consumer and community organizations, and thought leaders.

The conference will be webcast at www.federalreserve.gov and www.youtube.com/federalreserve.

This event is by invitation only. Members of the press who wish to attend should contact Public Affairs at [email protected].

Agenda
Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Remarks and Introduction of Governor Barr
David Newville, Division Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Federal Reserve Board

Welcome and Opening Remarks from Governor Michael Barr, Federal Reserve Board

Fireside Chat between Governor Barr and Timothy Flacke, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Commonwealth

Emerging Innovation, AI and Financial Inclusion
This panel will explore the potential financial inclusion benefits and challenges for consumers as AI matures and becomes more widespread. This includes discussions of how consumers use AI for financial advice, the applications of AI in the banking and financial services industry, and the risks and rewards of new technologies. As with all other innovations, it is paramount to consider what consumer risks exist and how they might be mitigated.
Moderator: Governor Lisa Cook, Federal Reserve Board
Panelists:

  • Laura Blattner, Head of Product Development, The Bike Shop
  • Sarah Willis Ertur, Executive Vice President, SaverLife
  • Sanjay Subramanian, Partner, PwC

Break

Remarks from Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, Federal Reserve Board (via pre-recorded video)

Emerging Payment Methods, Digital Access, and Payments Inclusion
Digital payment methods offer consumers faster ways to send and receive funds, giving them greater control over household budgets. The conversation will explore the range of digital tools available to consumers, access challenges, and the risks that underserved households face by not fully participating in an increasingly digital economy. Speakers will share perspectives on the rapid developments shaping the future of digital payments and what these changes mean for broader consumer adoption.
Moderator: Jessica Washington, Assistant Vice President, Payments Risk Forum, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Panelists:

  • Mercina Tillemann Perez, Vice President, Circle Impact
  • Erik VanBramer, Senior Vice President of Customer and Industry Relations, Federal Reserve Financial Services, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
  • Scott Talbott, ETA CPP, Executive Vice President, Electronic Transactions Association

Break

Financial Health in the United States
Financial health reflects a consumer’s ability to manage expenses, save for unexpected financial shocks, gain access to sustainable credit, and plan for the future. This panel will discuss the evolution of financial health in the United States, metrics for measuring financial health, and the role that financial institutions can play in helping consumers in this journey. With a stronger understanding of the financial health ecosystem, solutions and innovations can be more impactful and effective at building a holistic framework that responds to the challenges faced by low- and moderate-income consumers.
Moderator: Sean Creehan, Lead for Financial Health, Inclusion and Innovation, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Panelists:

  • Taylor Nelms, Vice President of Research and Insights, Financial Health Network
  • Kristen Holt, President and CEO, GreenPath
  • Ivy Glover, Director of Community Impact and Development, Wright-Patt Credit Union

Closing Remarks
Angelyque Campbell, Senior Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Federal Reserve Board

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Last Update: July 14, 2026