The details and the data behind public banking
Studies & Reports
show me the money
The recent surge of interest in public banking has generated a wealth of research
Making a case for a public bank inevitably involves deeper research into how such an institution could deliver on its promises. Below is a list of recommended reports, studies, and books that provide data, details, and insights.
Recommended studies & reports
Cities
States
National & Regional
International
Cities
Cities – Studies & Reports
States
States – Studies & Reports
| Recommended | State | Year | Title |
| ✓ | New Jersey | 2024 | Recommendations for Implementing a Public Bank in New Jersey – New Jersey’s approach to creating a depository public bank takes a long but practical view that makes near-term economic impact by building preliminary financial and political infrastructure as transitional framing for a full depository bank. This report provides useful analyses of barriers and possibilities for ultimate depository bank creation. |
| ✓ | Tennessee | 2023 | Why a Sovereign State Bank Is Good for Tennessee, by Richard Werner – Mar 2023 |
| ✓ | Colorado | 2023 | Draft Bill to Authorize Local Public Banks – Rocky Mountain Public Banking Institute and the Colorado Public Banking Coalition – Mar 2023. Sign the letter of support. |
| ✓ | Massachusetts | 2021 | Testimony of Massachusetts Public Banking in support of S.665/H.1223 An Act to Establish a Massachusetts Public Bank (with highlights) – Oct 2021. Video of Joint Committee on Financial Services meeting testimony – Oct 26, 2021. |
| ✓ | New Mexico | 2021 | Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity (AFLEP) Bank Plan. The purpose of the proposed Public Bank of New Mexico is to provide a focused, agile and effective way to leverage some of the State’s General Fund bank deposits toward investing within New Mexico. – Oct 2021 |
| ✓ | New Mexico | 2020 | Toward Designing a Public Bank for New Mexico – Aug 2020 |
| New Jersey | 2018 | Exploring a Public Bank for New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | 2018 | Public Bank Task Force Final Report – Apr 2018 | |
| California | 2017 | Report From the State Treasurer’s Cannabis Banking Working Group – Banking Access Strategies for Cannabis-Related Businesses – Nov 2017 | |
| Vermont | 2014 | “Exploring a Public Bank for Vermont,” Final Study, Vermonters for a New Economy, 2014. | |
| Vermont | 2013 | Exploring Public Banking in Vermont – Preliminary Findings – Vermonters for a New Economy, 2013. | |
| Vermont | 2012 | “Putting Vermont Money Bank to Work for Vermont: Introducing the Vermont Partnership Bank” – 2012, by Demos.org | |
| Hawaii | 2011 | Report “Putting Hawaii Money Back To Work For Hawaii: Introducing The Hawaii Partnership Bank,” by Demos.org | |
| Maine | 2011 | Report “Putting Maine Money to Work for Maine: Introducing the Maine Street Economic Development Bank” by Demos.org | |
| Maryland | 2011 | Report “Putting Maryland Money Back to Work for Maryland: Introducing the Maryland Partnership Bank” by Demos.org | |
| Massachusetts | 2011 | Report “Introducing the Massachusetts Partnership Bank” by Devos.org | |
| Massachusetts | 2011 | “The Bank of North Dakota: A Model for Massachusetts and Other States?” This report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) confirms that the Bank of North Dakota (BND) is a prudent, well-managed financial institution that serves in partnership with community banks as an effective economic backstop in economic downturns. The report suggests, however, that forming a state-owned bank is probably not worth the effort in Massachusetts. PBI respectfully disagrees. PBI response. | |
| Oregon | 2011 | “Putting Oregon’s Money to work for Oregon: FAQ Sheet,” 2011; “Putting Oregon’s Money to Work for Oregon: Introducing the Virtual State Bank” – 2011, by Demos.org | |
| Washington | 2011 | “Putting Washington Money to Work for Washington: Introducing the Washington Investment Trust” – report by Demos.org, 2011 |
National & Regional
National & Regional – Studies & Reports
| Recommended | Year | Title |
| 2023 | CBLR Online Journals Library | |
| ✓ | 2023 | Don’t Break the Bank, Build a New One: How Investing in Public Banks Can Solve Pensions’ ESG Problem – Geeta Minocha |
| ✓ | 2023 | Public Banks: FDIC Membership and the Collateral Requirement – Meritless Roadblocks – Earl Staelin, J.D. – Apr 2023 |
| ✓ | 2020 | Cancel Wall Street: How Our State and Local Governments Can Save More Than $160 Billion a Year by Cutting Interest Payments to Investors, by Action Center on Race & the Economy, Sept 2020 |
| ✓ | 2019 | Northeast-Midwest Institute: “White Paper: Public Banking in the Northeast and Midwest States” – Sept 2019 |
| 2014 | On postal banking: “Providing Non-Bank Financial Services for the Underserved” by the US Postal Service, 2014 | |
| 2011 | Public Banking in America: State Banking Legislative Guide – by PBI and the Center for State Innovation – Spring 2011 | |
| 2011 | “Banking on America: How Main Street Partnership Banks Can Improve Local Economies,” by Demos.org, 2011 |
International
International – Studies & Reports
| Recommended | Year | Title |
| 2021 | Public Banking Around the World: A Comparative Survey of Seven Models, Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice | |
| ✓ | 2020 | Public Banks and Covid-19: Combatting the Pandemic with Public Finance, Edited by David A. McDonald, Thomas Marois, Diana Barrowclough |
| ✓ | 2018 | Alberta’s Public Bank: How ATB Can Help Shape the New Economy by Mark Anielski and Bob Ascah; Parkland Institute – August 2018 |
| ✓ | 2017 | Centre for Public Impact | A BCG Foundation – Sparkassen Savings Banks in Germany, Case Study – March 2017 |