C. Luke Watson is a Senior Financial Economist in the Center for Financial Research at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, where he conducts research on banking competition, housing markets, and public economics. His current research examines bank competition in local deposit markets, pricing dynamics in urban housing markets, and the implications of financial technology adoption. At the FDIC, he has contributed to policy analysis on deposit insurance reform and digital currency developments.
Luke earned his PhD in Economics from Michigan State University in 2021, where his dissertation research focused on tax policy and labor markets, particularly examining the economic effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit. His teaching experience includes roles as an instructor at Michigan State University and Old Dominion University, as well as participating in the American Economic Association Summer Program, a mentoring program designed to increase diversity in the economics profession. Prior to his doctoral studies, he earned both his BA and MA in Economics from Old Dominion University. His research has been presented at various academic conferences including the Urban Economics Association, National Tax Association, and the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association annual meetings.