About the Publications HistorySince 1914, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has published extensive statistical information on the U.S. economy and banking industry. This information has been published in various formats, usually referred to as "statistical releases." Titles and release numbers of the publications have changed frequently. The Federal Reserve Board Statistical Release Publications History describes these changes; it is a convenient tool that lightens the burden of tracing the titles and release numbers by providing a publications history in a single location. In the early years of the Federal Reserve Board, some statistical information was published in tables that appeared only in the Federal Reserve Bulletin. These statistics were then compiled in Banking and Monetary Statistics (1914-1941) and (1941-1970). In addition to the tables, these publications provide helpful textual information on the history of the statistical data. After 1970, the Bulletin tables were compiled in the Annual Statistical Digest. In recent years, statistical release data have also appeared on the Board's public web site. To construct a comprehensive statistical data series over time, it may be necessary to consult all of these sources, in addition to the releases. The information in this history was obtained from various sources, including the Board Research Library's paper collection of statistical releases, microfilm collection, and card and online catalogs. Information was also obtained from the Federal Reserve Bulletin's annual list of publications; the statistical release records in the Board's Records Section; and the Guide to the Retention of Selected Releases, a booklet published by Research Library staff from 1980 to 1990. |