Blogs

Commonly known as the Beige Book, this report is published eight times per year. Each Federal Reserve Bank gathers anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its District through reports from Bank and Branch directors and interviews with key business contacts, economists, market experts and other sources. The Beige Book summarizes this information by District and sector. An overall summary of the twelve district reports is prepared by a designated Federal Reserve Bank on a rotating basis. Overall Economic Activity Retail sales, including autos, remained mixed; sales of...

Banking partners you can count on to help you achieve growth goals These are dynamic times for businesses in Fresno and across California’s Central Valley. The region continues to expand, offering opportunities for new and established businesses. Like the rest of the country, the region faces economic uncertainties. Still David Triplitt, President and CEO of Premier Valley Bank, a division of HTLF Bank, is optimistic that market and financial indicators look good for halting or slowing inflation in 2024. The Valley is “growing and it’s mainly based on affordability,” attracting newcomers from...

Economic hurdles are still a major factor for businesses in 2024. Many are recovering from the Great Resignation and employee retention has never been more important for resiliency. On the other hand, many businesses are seeking new ways to streamline cash flow, increase operational efficiency, and retain clients. After conducting compelling research and interviews with subject matter experts, Financial Feed covers valuable insights on the economy, business strategies, and more. In it, you’ll discover: Employee retention strategies that impact the bottom line Business strategies for resiliency...

Fraud continues to be a challenge for many organizations. According to the 2023 Association for Financial Professionals, 65 percent of organizations report that they continue to be targets of fraud. And as the payments landscape continues to evolve, fraudsters are evolving their tactics too. Targets of Payments Fraud Check issuing continues to decline as the number of organizations using digital payments increases. The mass adoption of digital payments is partly due to the remote work environment. Electronic payment usage increases may also be the reason there has been an uptick in ACH fraud...

The economic forecast may be uncertain, but preparing for potentially inflated rates is the smartest course of action. Liquidity management is a lot of work, but the benefits can help your business thrive rather than survive. Learn more about how you can keep your business afloat in every season. A fluctuating economic environment, such as the one we’re currently experiencing, has historically pointed toward the imminent possibility of a recession. While forecasts aren’t 100% reliable, proactive leaders should prepare for future economic turmoil by reimagining their company’s liquidity...