Economic reports this past week were mixed, with mostly dour housing reports offsetting a few better-than-expected datasets. In our region, the Empire Manufacturing report was an upside surprise, but the monthly NY Fed Business Leaders’ Survey was lackluster. The Mideast situation remains ongoing, thereby leaving its potential impact on commodity prices and inflation intact. However, at this stage, the market reaction function to the conflict has diminished, and effects from an enduring stalemate appear largely “baked in.” The week ahead serves a busy slate of data, with the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation barometer a potential highlight...

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion with Frank Farone, Managing Director at Darling Consulting Group, on how community financial institutions can evaluate the true cost of funds, challenge common misconceptions about wholesale funding, and develop a more effective approach to liquidity, profitability, and balance sheet management...

After years of anticipating a return to lower interest rates, many financial institutions have come to recognize that rates may remain elevated for longer than originally expected. While a higher-for-longer environment presents challenges—including deposit competition, funding pressures, slower loan demand, and margin compression—it also creates opportunities for well-positioned institutions to enhance earnings, strengthen liquidity, and support strategic growth...