The FDIC’s Center for Financial Research is hosting the 2020-2021 Academic Challenge, which will consist of two rounds. In the first round of the competition, teams of undergraduate students will use multiple public data sources to examine the effects of community banks on local economic development. In the second round, finalist teams will be invited to present their findings and answer questions from a panel of judges who work in the areas of banking and bank supervision.

“We are launching this academic challenge to excite young minds to the world of banking and how community banks connect to their communities,” said FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams. “This competition will expose undergraduates to the regulation and supervision of financial institutions.”

Teams will be challenged to use government and other public data to inform their insights. In addition, FDIC economists will host two online sessions to help students find resources and address questions about the competition. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase and sharpen their analytical and presentation skills, to be exposed to important issues in banking, and to deepen their experiences working in teams.