For 94 years, the state of North Dakota has run a public bank. It acts like a mini-Federal Reserve that subsidizes loans based on local priorities. The bank helps local entrepreneurs, students and others all while generating a profit for the state treasury.

This weekend, attendees of the Public Banking Conference in San Rafael, California will gather to re-think the global banking system. They hope to spread North Dakota’s time-tested financial idea.

Marc Armstrong, executive director of the non-profit The Public Banking Institute, joins Marketplace Morning Report host David Brancaccio to discuss public banks and the benefits of making credit decisions locally.