Financial Services and the Post Office

In his 2014 report, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General proposed that the USPS offer financial services targeted to consumers who do not have access to affordable, mainstream financial products.

On July 16, Pew hosted a one-day conference to:

• Explore the implications of offering financial services at the post office.
• Review international models that might be instructive for the U.S.
• Discuss the economics of offering financial services at the post office.
• Unveil findings from our new national survey of public attitudes about financial services and the post office.

Video Highlights

Congressman Darrell Issa (CA) Discusses Proposal for Financial Services at the Post Office

Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) Discusses Proposal for Financial Services at the Post Office

USPS Inspector General David Williams Discusses Proposal for Financial Services at the Post Office

Agenda and More Video Footage

UPDATE: The conference has ended. Its original agenda, below, is annotated with archival video and other assets.

Conference Agenda: Financial Services and the Post Office July 16, 2014

8:10-8:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks: Travis Plunkett, senior director, The Pew Charitable Trusts

8:15-9 a.m.
Presentation of Pew Research:

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

• American attitudes about the post office and the provision of financial services: Results of a Pew survey—Alex Horowitz, research officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Post office and bank locations: Gaps and overlaps—Clinton Key, research officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts

9-9:05 a.m.
Welcome: Susan K. Urahn, executive vice president, The Pew Charitable Trusts

9:05-9:30 a.m.

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

Keynote: Representative Darrell Issa (CA), chair, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee

9:30-10 a.m.
Keynote: David Williams, inspector general, U.S. Postal Service

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

10-11:30 a.m.
Panel: Providing Financial Services to the Underserved

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

• Moderator: Brian Naylor, National Public Radio
• Dong Hong, regulatory counsel, Consumer Bankers Association
• Adam Levitin, professor, Georgetown University Law Center
• Ryan Donovan, senior vice president, legislative affairs, Credit Union National Association
• Jana Barresi, director, federal government relations, Walmart

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Keynote: Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), member, Senate Banking Committee

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

1:15-2:30 p.m.

Panel: Lessons for the U.S. From Other Countries

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

• Moderator: Stuart Butler, distinguished fellow and director, Center for Policy Innovation, Heritage Foundation
• Alex Berthaud, financial inclusion program manager, Universal Postal Union
• Sheldon Garon, professor, Princeton University
• Jim Campbell, attorney and consultant

2:30-3 p.m.
Keynote: Ruth Goldway, chairman, U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

3-3:30 p.m.
Keynote: former Representative Tom Davis, former chair, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

3:45-5 p.m.

Panel: Economics, Operations, and Efficiency

VIDEO: Click here to see archival video from the event

• Moderator: Bill Sermons, director of research, Center for Responsible Lending
• Michael Scanlon, partner, K&L Gates
• Phil Tabbita, manager of negotiation support and special projects, American Postal Workers Union
• James Gattuso, senior research fellow in regulatory policy, Heritage Foundation
• Michael Crew, professor and director, Center for Research in Regulated Industries, Rutgers University

5-5:15 p.m.

Concluding remarks: Key themes, unanswered questions, and policy considerations—Travis Plunkett, senior director, The Pew Charitable Trusts