Blogs

The professional services sector is a critical component of economic development and productivity. The skills and knowledge of specialized professionals drive innovation and keep daily operations on track across multiple markets. We often assume professional services are safe from fluctuating economic variables—but the truth is, unfortunately, more complex. There are ongoing challenges that plague those working in professional services, and these issues are posing a notable threat to the viability of even the most skilled professionals. By facing these issues head-on and addressing them before...

You’ve invested countless long, hard hours in building a stable, profitable business with a bright future. But negative economic forces can strike at any time, destabilizing your finances and possibly even endangering the survival of your business. This is one of the main reasons it’s so important to build and maintain healthy cash reserves. Cash reserves serve many important purposes including helping business owners meet unexpected expenses while also stabilizing cash flow and easing overall financial stress. This guide to cash reserves explains why it’s so important for a business to have...

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...