Economic data this past week generally portrayed activity and growth to be “holding up,” with consumer spending being underpinned by the wealth effect on well-off population cohorts and by lower personal savings rates. Meanwhile, elevated price pressures remain stubborn. Fedspeak was on the mildly hawkish side this past week, as another rate hike remains a distinct possibility for this year. The monthly jobs report, to be released just prior to this edition hitting inboxes, may spark some market movement and will conclude the week’s data blizzard. The week ahead is light on economic data but offers a handful of Fed speakers. Also, the release of last month’s FOMC Minutes should reveal insights on the Fed’s rate-hike decision and the potential path forward...

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...