The spread of the coronavirus and its accompanying shock to the global economic system has spurred widespread fear within the financial services sector. The disruption has led senior leaders at financial services firms to ask some basic questions, from how do we keep our employees safe, to what does our near-term financial health look like, to what if this ... READ MORE >
As the Wuhan virus spreads, bond markets take notice
For a while last year, it seemed that yields on U.S. Treasuries were on an upward path as trade tensions with China eased and recession fears calmed. But all that has changed as fears over the outbreak of the Wuhan virus in China have combined with moderated corporate earnings and continued delays over the Boeing 737 Max to suppress those yields. On ... READ MORE >
As American farmers struggle, lenders become advisers
This year has been one to forget for the American farmer. Weather, trade and depressed commodity prices have combined to weigh on farmers’ abilities to generate income not only to support their family and way of life, but also to finance the debt they carry to operate their enterprises. It has been a perfect storm of sorts, forcing farmers to make tough ... READ MORE >
Declining demand for commercial loans points to continued uncertainty
Demand for commercial loans softened dramatically in the third quarter, as noted by both the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, signaling that businesses continue to be cautious about making capital investments amid a not-yet-signed trade deal with China and slowing economic growth. Both large and small firms ... READ MORE >
Buzz on pot legislation fades as focus turns to vaping
It was a rare source of consensus in a divided Congress: in September, the House of Representatives passed a bill designed to ease the flow of money to cannabis companies around the nation. By stripping away federal penalties on providing financial services to these businesses, the bill would go a long way to grease the financial gears of a budding ... READ MORE >
Low rate environment poses challenge for banks
On July 30, the Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis-point reduction in the federal funds rate. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell characterized the move as an “insurance” cut to help extend what is now a record-long U.S. economic expansion amid economic headwinds related to a slowing global economy and an inversion of the yield curve, which many market ... READ MORE >