Where thought finds leadership

New business formation is booming and is notably strong in the healthcare sector, which is seeing spending and profit growth.

We revisit spending in city centers and find that while northern cities continue to struggle, spending in southern cities is up.

With median insurance payments rising an average of 5.7% since 2020, how are growing home and auto premiums impacting consumers?

Consumer perceptions of their finances have deteriorated, yet deposit levels remain elevated and spending continues. Why?

Consumer spending had a summer bounce in July, with lower- and middle-income households looking particularly resilient.

Small business payments grew in July led by construction spending as demand for building in the manufacturing sector ramps up.

Which U.S. cities are facing long term housing shortages? Our latest migration flow analysis explains. 

Overall consumer spending remains stable, but higher housing costs are impacting spending by renters more than homeowners.

As small businesses face increasingly tight profit margins, payroll spending growth is beginning to slow.

The pandemic-era rise in online retail spending has continued, posing real challenges for brick-and-mortar stores.

While consumer spending has stabilized, rising housing costs and pending student loan payments are pressuring younger consumers.

Despite tightening credit conditions, loan financing for small businesses has not shown a meaningful decline.

Our near real-time estimates of migration flows suggest a continuation of pandemic-era moving trends.

We highlight some areas of weakness beneath the surface of a buoyant labor market.

While the overall labor market remains buoyant, higher-income households are seeing some pockets of weakness.

Our analysis suggests the western U.S. is not in recession, with consumer spending strengthening this year relative to the broader U.S.

Though small business payments levels remain strong, small businesses are pulling back on spending and slowing hiring.

Residual pent-up demand for cruises and international trips is helping drive ongoing travel spending.

Beyond student loans and grants, 529s remain a significant way to pay for education. We discuss five contribution trends. 

While this cohort’s spending lagged the average over the pandemic, there are signs of a catch-up at the start of 2023.

While spending was no slam dunk due to weaker wage growth and lower tax refunds, consumers continue to have financial buffers.

The recent decline in gig workers is driven by lower demand for deliveries and a rotation into traditional labor markets.

Despite concerns of tighter lending, small businesses saw little disruption to their operations in March.

Consumers are returning to social leisure activities post-pandemic, but will inflation threaten their good time?

While not a beneficiary of domestic migration like the South, Midwestern cities stand out for consumer goods spending growth.

Consumer spending growth decelerated in February, but continues to be supported by positive fundamentals.

Exploring city-level housing data to uncover the factors driving an increase in rent and mortgage payments across the Southern US.

Higher operational costs are squeezing small business profits, though resilient consumer spending provides some relief.

Seniors are spending at a faster pace, supported by the historic increase in social security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Who are the more than 2 million workers who haven’t returned to the labor force and what has happened to them?

Consumer spending strengthened in January supported by stronger labor income, but the less affluent still face more challenges.

Despite slowing revenues, payments to small business hiring firms remain robust.

While auto sales struggled in 2022 amidst supply snarls, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Consumer spending in cities appears to have lagged the overall U.S., with remote work and population loss driving the shift.

After a solid year, the consumer may feel the weight of 2023, but for now they are heading to the gym in OK financial shape.

Small business hiring continues to moderate, though payroll payments remained more resilient for firms with lower revenues.

Let’s get this party started . . . a look back at our top charts of 2022

Strong demand for lodging this holiday season prompts payroll and revenue growth for these small businesses.

Consumers have proven resilient in 2022. While spending is slowing, they are starting 2023 in good financial shape.

Job losses this year have had a larger impact on consumer savings and discretionary spending than in the prior years.

Manufacturing faces cyclical downward pressure in the near term; autos and on-shoring should provide a longer term support.

High food inflation is eating up discretionary spending and causing some consumers to adjust where they shop for groceries.

Pent-up demand for cars may help offset weaker discretionary spending, but the current road into the holidays looks bumpy.

Businesses are increasing borrowing as rent rises.

Savings buffers are still relatively high, though it appears low-income households are beginning to tap into their savings.

Our data confirms the U.S. housing market is slowing, which may be a drag on discretionary spending, especially for renters.

Bank of America data shows a slowing housing market, with affordability stretched for both owner-occupiers and renters.

Small businesses continue to rely on financial buffers despite inflationary pressures.

Pent-up demand and a strong US dollar drives increased growth of international spending beyond summer peak.

As the first anniversary of the IRA approaches, we break down the bill and discuss 10 places where its impact is most evident. 

U.S. Electric Vehicle adoption is accelerating and broadening out from the West, with the South and Midwest showing strong growth.

10% of global emissions are from the fashion industry. Sustainable fashion is making important contributions to reduce its impact.

Our 10 key findings around the private sector’s role in transitioning to a low-carbon future.

How important has biodiversity become? We walk through ten key points to better understand its growing impact.

As the Earth warms, challenges hinder efforts to tackle climate change. We outline obstacles to the energy transition.

As mounting inflationary pressures disproportionately impact women, can company benefits help “inflation-proof” their wallets?

A slower labor market recovery for women-intensive sectors has inhibited progress towards closing the workforce gender gap.

After facing significant challenges, where do nonprofits stand and what investments are needed to secure their long-term futures?

The mission-driven purpose that defines CDFIs will help them address lingering inequities in the financial markets.

Higher income consumers drive Electric Vehicle charging demand amidst changing oil prices and increased government funding.

The world is a different place from where it was a year ago. We answer 12 questions about Net Zero and what to expect at COP27.

Companies are in a race to net zero and BofA Global Research analysts say more than 9 out of 10 have a clear plan to get there.

Financial activity in Health Savings Accounts varies by gender, with women behind men in participation, balances and investments.

The tokenization of traditional assets may reshape infrastructures and public and private markets over the next 5 to 15 years.

As the threats from deepfakes escalate, there are proactive steps organizations can take to protect their businesses.

How has the workplace mental health landscape evolved and what are employers’ options moving forward?

From obesity drugs to an Alzheimer’s blood test, 12 emerging technologies with the greatest potential to transform healthcare.

As cyberattacks increase, so does the importance of maintaining a robust cybersecurity stack. But what's next on the horizon?

A recent study uncovers unique motivators, priorities and challenges facing the Asian American Pacific Islander Community.

As US healthcare spend continues to grow, value-based care could curb the costs and result in better patient outcomes.

As artificial intelligence quickly moves toward mass adoption, we answer 10 questions to help navigate the basics.

Digital strategies are driving real-world productivity gains with the potential to reduce manufacturing costs by 25%.

As the space economy continues to grow, a robust and competitive commercial space sector is vital to continued progress.

A new study highlights how labor market inequalities can lead women to accumulate less assets over their working life.

Shifting perspectives on wealth may have implications for individuals, families, nonprofits, business owners and the economy as a whole.

The developing crypto-native ecosystem is accelerating the way in which digital assets are disrupting traditional industries

As scarcity accelerates, we identified 10 transformative thematic solutions and $8tn of market cap in enablers.