Economists agree that technology, and particularly information technology, is important in raising productivity growth in the U.S. economy. Measuring the magnitude and extent of the impact of information technology on the U.S. economy and on specific industries continues to be an area of considerable interest and research.

Nobel laureate Lawrence Klein, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and Cynthia Saltzman and Vijaya Duggal, both professors at Widener University in Pennsylvania, examined the role of information technology on increasing productivity in the finance sector, using data from the benchmark and annual input-output accounts produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Professor Klein presented the results of this study as an honored guest lecturer at BEA on March 24, 2003. His presentation was part of a ceremony recognizing the work of BEA staff in producing the 1997 benchmark input-output accounts.