#USA #Washington, D.C. #Lafayette Square Institute #USA Lending #Federal Credit Lab

Introduction

On November 9, 2026, the Lafayette Square Institute and the Center for USA Lending announced the launch of the Federal Credit Lab, a groundbreaking platform designed to provide public access to a comprehensive suite of data visualizations and analyses regarding federal credit allocation throughout the U.S. economy. This innovative initiative aims to inform a wide array of stakeholders, including policymakers, program administrators, researchers, and the general public, by enhancing their understanding of federal lending mechanisms.

Understanding Federal Credit

Federal credit is an essential component of financial headway in the United States; the country’s government is recognized as one of the largest lenders globally. Currently, it manages an enormous portfolio exceeding $5 trillion in outstanding loans and guarantees, reflecting its pivotal role in fostering economic growth. In Fiscal Year 2026, nearly $1 trillion was approved through new loans and guarantees covering over 100 distinct programs managed by 20 federal agencies.

The Federal Credit Lab has been established as a collaborative effort between the Lafayette Square Institute and the Center for USA Lending. The primary objective is to make this valuable portfolio data more accessible and transparent, facilitating improved program assessments, delivery, budgeting, and design.

Insights from the Leaders

Jack Moriarty, the Executive Director of Lafayette Square Institute, highlighted the importance of federal credit as a vital, albeit frequently misunderstood, tool for policy enhancement. “By mobilizing private capital to address national challenges, our goal is to build a platform that increases understanding of this powerful toolkit,” Moriarty stated. His sentiment is echoed by Doug Criscitello, the Executive Director of the Center for USA Lending, who affirmed that this initiative will make the federal government’s lending activities much more visible, thereby promoting accountability throughout the process. He emphasized, “The Federal Credit Lab exemplifies how modern systems and information can translate into better policy outcomes.”

Damien Dwin, founding CEO of Lafayette Square, elaborated on the significance of applying analytics to the federal credit workflows. He emphasized this would create conducive environments for both governmental bodies and capital markets to better serve not only individual workers but entire communities across every zip code in the country.

Features of the Federal Credit Lab

The Federal Credit Lab is anticipated to centralize and unify previously scattered data sources, thus making federal credit knowledge accessible to a broader audience. As noted by Laura Hohenberger, Senior Associate for Data Analytics and Policy at Lafayette Square Institute, this platform aspires to unify disparate data sets and empower stakeholders to leverage previously unreachable insights about federal funding.

The launch event held in Washington, D.C., included a demonstration of the platform alongside discussions featuring expert speakers on federal credit topics. Additional thematic programming is scheduled throughout 2027, promising continued exploration and dialog about the dynamics of federal credit.

Call for Community Engagement

Both organizations encourage public engagement in the form of feedback about research ideas for forthcoming analyses, ensuring that the Federal Credit Lab evolves in line with the information needs of its user base.

About the Organizations

The Lafayette Square Institute is a respected non-profit policy and data analytics platform that focuses on directing private investments toward the public's interests. Through fostering bipartisan relations and innovative financial solutions, the institute works diligently to align investments directed at the communities and populations most in need.

The Center for USA Lending serves as a nonpartisan entity committed to enhancing the domestic credit landscape by connecting public and private stakeholders. By championing borrower necessities and modern technology, their mission is to ensure equitable access to capital that federal credit systems are designed to facilitate.

Conclusion

The Federal Credit Lab represents a significant leap forward in making federal credit data accessible, thereby enhancing accountability and enabling informed policy-making. With ongoing programming and opportunities for engagement, both organizations signal a commitment to a future where data-driven insights enhance the quality of federal lending and, by extension, the welfare of communities across the nation.

For more information or to provide feedback, interested individuals may contact Laura Hohenberger, Senior Associate of Data Analytics and Policy at Lafayette Square Institute.