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David Brancaccio

"Future Effects" Senior Correspondent

David Brancaccio is Marketplace’s “future effects” senior correspondent. In this role, David aims to explore how short-term thinking can impact our personal finances, innovation, government policy, and more.

David worked as the host and senior editor of “Marketplace Morning Report” from 2013 to 2026, where he focused on the regulation of financial markets, the role of technology in labor markets, the history of innovation, digital privacy, sustainability, social enterprises, and financial vulnerability in older adults. David freelanced for Marketplace in 1989 before becoming the program’s European correspondent based in London in 1990.

David hosted the evening program from 1993-2003, then anchored the award-winning public television news program “Now” on PBS after a period co-hosting with journalist Bill Moyers. David has co-produced and appeared in several documentaries, including “Fixing the Future,” about alternative approaches to the economy, and “On Thin Ice,” about climate change and water security, with mountaineer Conrad Anker. David is the author of “Squandering Aimlessly,” a book about personal values and money. He enjoys moderating public policy discussions, including at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Week, and the Camden Conference in Maine.

David is from Waterville, Maine, and has degrees from Wesleyan and Stanford universities. Honors include the Peabody, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University, Emmy, and Walter Cronkite awards. He is married to Mary Brancaccio, a poet and educator. They have three offspring, all adults. He likes making beer and building (and launching) pretty big rockets. Among his heroes are Edward R. Murrow and Wolfman Jack.

Latest from David Brancaccio

  • According to a study by Vanguard, only 16% of people near retirement took advantage of the catch-up provision.
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    The details on this savings tactic and how it’s changing in 2024.

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  • Retirement catch-up
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    Legislation set to go into effect next year will allow some 401(k) catch-up contributions to be taxed upfront — rather than when they’re withdrawn for retirement. Plus, a new electric airline company, and an update from the Fed about a potential September rate hike.

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  • What can corporate profits can tell us about the economy?
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    From the BBC World Service: A raft of big European corporations have been reporting half-year figures. We drill into some of the numbers and find out why shares in some big banks are falling despite rising profits, how lower oil prices are affecting Shell, and the role cat food has played in Nestle’s profits. Also on the program, Russia’s ambitions for Africa as President Putin hosts leaders for a summit. And, the battle to save a ship carrying 3,000 vehicles from sinking off the Dutch coast.

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  • Who will care for you when you’re old?
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    If your answer is a family member, it’s likely they’ll do it for no pay. We’ll discuss the economic crisis in elder care. Plus, there’s almost certainly a rate hike coming later today — what does that mean for inflation?

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  • M.T. Connolly's new book, "The Measure of Our Age," explores how to ensure financial security and emotional wellbeing as we age.
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    A new book lays out how to align finances and personal goals so you can enjoy aging.

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  • Setting a pay precedent
    Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

    The new contract between the Teamsters and UPS includes $30 billion in wage gains for workers. Could that encourage other companies to increase pay? Plus, check-ins on the ad market and the care economy.

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  • 60,000 women in Afghanistan lose their jobs
    Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: The Taliban has fulfilled its threat to shut down hair and beauty salons across Afghanistan, leaving tens of thousands of women without work. The BBC’s Caroline Davies explains. The CEO of NatWest, one of the UK’s biggest banks, has resigned after the bank closed the account of a former politician due to his conservative right-wing views. Alison Rose had said Nigel Farage’s account was shut down due to a lack of funds. In Germany, the government is suggesting that a siesta could help workers cope with uncharacteristic summer heat, and, finally, David Gressly, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, gives an update on an operation to remove one million barrels of oil from a derelict tanker.

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  • A mental health care coverage boost
    Drew Angerer/Getty Images

    The Biden administration just proposed a rule that would enforce mental health care coverage parity laws. Plus, a burgeoning economic opportunity in rural China: peach farms. 

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  • President Biden's administration announced the new rule today, but it will need to go through a comment and review process before going into effect.
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    The rule would force insurance companies to follow laws stating mental health care must be covered like physical health care.

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  • Teamsters are back at the bargaining table
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    Progress has been made on a new five year contract between UPS and the Teamsters union. But if an agreement isn’t finalized before the current contract ends July 31, workers say they’ll go on strike. Plus, families are suing the U.S. over damage done during Hurricane Harvey.

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