Consumer purchasing is responsible for about two-thirds of the American economy. Whether it is spending on durable goods, such as cars or housing, or on services, such as education and health care, consumption drives economic growth and performance. The financial health of the consumer is a critical factor in the stability of our domestic economy for our prospects for growth.
This paper explores the state of the consumer in the post-Financial Crisis era and some of the conditions that could be influencing changes in behavior.

Brexit, a contraction of the words “British exit,” refers to the June 23, 2016 referendum by voters in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (“EU”). The surprising outcome has injected uncertainty into financial markets, and triggered some major moves in currencies, bonds, and equity prices. In this paper we review and comment on the economic and political implications to this separation and financial markets.