Consumer behavior, attitudes toward financial products in focus at FDIC symposium

Research papers on consumer behavior and attitudes toward financial products – including credit utilization, payment behavior, economic inclusion, mortgage markets and credit and the real economy – will be discussed at a conference Friday sponsored by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

The FDIC’s Seventh Annual Consumer Research Symposium, according to the FDIC, will feature a keynote address by Dr. Christopher Herbert, Managing Director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University feature. FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg will offer opening remarks.

The event is scheduled to begin at 8:15, with the program starting at 9:15 with Gruenberg’s comments. It is being held in the Bair Auditorium at the FDIC’s Seidman Center in Arlington, Va.

The deposit insurance agency said that more than 100 research papers were submitted for consideration, with eight selected for presentation at the conference. The papers, FDIC said, will be discussed during four panel discussions.

“The goal of the symposium is to facilitate discussion of recent research on consumers’ capabilities, knowledge, preferences, and experiences in the market for financial products and services, as well as the effects of public policy interventions and new regulations on consumers, households, communities, and financial institutions,” the agency said in a release. “A diverse audience of participants from academia, government agencies, nonprofit groups, and industry is expected.”

Details: FDIC 7th annual Consumer Research Symposium