Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

New inequality index launched to compare income groups

May 31, 2021
The Morning Consult-Axios data suggests that inequality is inching up as low-income people run out of relief money.
Lower-income households are starting to worry about losing eviction protections and unemployment benefits.
prempapan via Getty Images

How consumers are using their latest relief checks

Apr 7, 2021
A Federal Reserve report found consumers are mostly saving the payment. When more Americans are vaccinated, they might spend more.
Many consumers plan to save a big part of their relief payment instead of quickly funneling it into the economy.
Chuyn via Getty Images

FDIC campaigns to get the unbanked to open accounts

Apr 7, 2021
Over 7 million Americans don't have bank accounts. One big incentive to opening one: direct deposit of federal relief payments.
There are plenty of reasons why disadvantaged communities might avoid the banking system, but one benefit is the ability to deposit relief money.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Consumer confidence surges on relief payments

Mar 22, 2021
Morning Consult finds the American Rescue Plan boosted consumer confidence, with low- to middle-income Americans buoyed the most.
Optimism has increased since President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, which will likely lead to increased spending.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Companies see an opportunity with more relief money headed to consumers

Mar 17, 2021
Deals and other offers are likely to appear online, where people have already been shopping during the pandemic.
Consumers are likely to spend this latest round of relief payments quickly, said Matt Kleinschmit, CEO of the market research consultancy Reach3 Insights.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What we know about the next round of relief checks

Feb 12, 2021
House Democrats have proposed sending $1,400 checks to Americans, with the full amount going to people who earn up to $75,000.
House Democrats released a proposal this week for COVID-19 relief that would include distributing $1,400 checks to American households.
Evgenia Parajanian/Getty Images

Millions will get their relief payment via debit card. That's good ... and bad

Dec 30, 2020
Cards are usually cheaper than checks. Unless there's a dispute.
President Donald Trump holds one of the prepaid debit cards being issued by the IRS, during a Cabinet meeting in May.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.