May Jobs Report

Articles, News

The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, well above the consensus estimate of 85,000 and the 115,000 jobs created in April, signaling a reacceleration in labor market growth. Additionally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, indicating that labor market conditions continue to be more resilient than many economists had anticipated and remain near the…

Sample Board Presentation Agenda

Articles

Bank Board Strategic Business Planning Presentation:  2024-2026 “Challenge Brings Opportunity”   Objectives for the Presentation: To provide an understanding of the current and anticipated operating environment which community based financial institutions face in the second half 2024/2025/2026 and the related key elements that institutions must consider and understand   To present the primary challenges which…

Consumer Price Index

Articles, Blog

U.S. inflation registered in at 3.0% year over year increase in June, a decrease of .3% from the month of May and was .1% below consensus. While the month over month Consumer Price Index increase came in at -.1%, this continues to keep rate cuts in play for the September meeting. Recent data on household…

Fixed Income Market Update July 2023

Articles, Blog

Interest rates are near the top of the range again, creating an investment opportunity   Market expectations were initially projecting it to be a better year for fixed income investors, as many economists thought we would be in a recession by now or one looming right around the corner and interest rates would be lower. …

Will the Fed Cap Long-Term Rates?

Articles

Since the beginning of 2021, the 10-year Treasury note has risen by about 70 basis points in yield. This rapid rise in rates has created high volatility across bond and equity markets, and as such, it is fair to question if and how the Federal Reserve may intervene to keep long-term rates low.    We…