Siena's Federal Reserve Challenge Team

Siena’s Federal Reserve Challenge Team placed in the Top 6 out of 35 Colleges in the New York Federal Reserve District.

          The College Fed Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate college students inspired by the working of the Federal Open Market Committee. It is intended to encourage students to learn more about the U.S. macro economy, the Federal Reserve System and the implementation of monetary policy and financial stability policy. It is also aimed at spurring interest in economics and finance as subjects for advanced study and as the basis for a career.

          Siena’s Team was composed of finance majors: Vincent Crocitto, Nathaniel McDonald, and Brian DiCaprio and economics majors: Matthew Beyer and Robert Burklund.

          In the preliminary round on November 5^th , they received 18 out of 20 points for their 15 minute presentation on the appropriate path for future monetary policy and their ability to explain and defend their position during a 15 minute question and answer period. The score bested the teams from schools such as Cornell, SUNY-Binghamton, and Rutgers. For only the second time in six years, Siena’s Team advanced to the November 18^th semi-finals at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City. In the morning competition, our students performed well, but in a strong division failed to defeat the school that emerged from the afternoon finals as the winner.

          In addition, the training and preparation of the presenters was facilitated by alternate presenter Gregory Morrison and by a group of dedicated support personal, including, Selma Chamy, Steven Lanciotti, and David Troiano. Dr. Thomas Kopp of the Finance Department was their faculty adviser.

Congratulations to the entire group for their accomplishment, which was the by-product of many hours of hard work.