Bottom Line:  The 7% level on the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has proven to be a remarkable barrier to mortgage activity. Rates fell below it, averaging 6.96% last week, and activity jumped. While we should caveat that seasonal adjustments have...

This past spring, the US bond market flashed a key recession warning with the yield curve briefly inverted and short-term debt paying more than longer-term loans. No one can know for sure when the next economic recession will begin, but CFIs may be able to take advantage of two potential opportunities that the inverted yield curve offers.

While the yield curve is flat to inverted, community financial institutions are looking for fee income. Hedging loans for your customers provides you with upfront fee income, immediately recognized as earnings. Is this a good time to consider hedging for your institution and gain extra income? While some may feel hedging could be cumbersome, it can be easier than you think. Join us as we explore how it works.

Every economic downturn creates both pain and opportunities. Rather than scaling back or doing nothing, CFIs should consider adopting strategies that will position them for growth when the economy inevitably recovers. We discuss five places to invest during a downturn that can provide you with good return on investment

CRE developers and lenders are seeing a stressed landscape for their business, as predictions of workers returning to offices haven’t been fully realized. A forward rate lock hedge can help both sides of the lending transaction by fixing a rate on future loans.

In the current interest rate environment, forward rate locks offer both CFIs and borrowers an opportunity to mitigate interest rate risk. Femi Audifferen, SVP of Hedging Solutions at PCBB, explains why now might be an opportune time to hedge with a forward rate lock.

With increasing interest rates, community financial institutions stand to enlarge their net interest margin. Yet, lending competition is fierce in many areas, so it won’t always be easy. We give you three ways to generate income in the current rate environment.