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Podcasts
PCBB President Mike Dohren shares 2026 predictions for community banks — covering profitability, customer engagement, AI, cyber risk, stablecoin, and faster payments — along with practical guidance on data strategy, culture, and targeted digital transformation.
This special episode brings together a powerhouse panel of industry experts to tackle the existential challenges facing community financial institutions (CFIs) today. In a banking environment shaped by market pressures, rapid technology disruption, evolving regulations, and shifting customer expectations, survival is far from guaranteed.
As the cannabis industry grows, community financial institutions face a pivotal decision—should they step into the Marijuana-Related Banking (MRB) space? In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of MRB, breaking down the risks, rewards, and regulatory complexities of taking on cannabis-related business customers.
We sit down with Stephen Dougherty of the US Secret Service to hear insights for preventing cyber attacks. Our discussion explores who is vulnerable and types of cybercrime, including BEC schemes, romance scams, work-from-home scams, deep fakes and more. Stephen also provides tips for preventing cybercrime, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement or relevant authorities.
Economic Indicators
As expected, the FOMC changed its benchmark rate range from 4.25%-4.50% to 4.00%-4.25% for the first time this year. The Fed projects an additional 50bp in rate cuts by the end of 2025. Fed median projections for 2025 GDP rises...
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 4.25%-4.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting. The Fed’s economic projections maintain 50bp of rate cuts in 2025. However, they raised their 2025 inflation projections to 3% (up from...
Aligning with market consensus, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate from 4.25%-4.50% for the third consecutive time. The Fed addresses “shifts in net exports” with no direct acknowledgement of the first negative real GDP print since 2022. The...
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 4.25%–4.50%. The Fed’s updated economic projections indicate a 50bp rate cut by the end of 2025, bringing the federal funds rate to 3.88%. The median forecast for PCE...
Aligning with market consensus, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 4.25%-4.50%. The Fed stated “inflation remains somewhat elevated,” revising their initial statement: “inflation has made progress toward the Committee’s 2% objective.” Meanwhile, revisions were made to...
As expected, the Fed lowered the benchmark rate by 25bp to a target range of 4.25%-4.50%, making the third rate cut in over four years. The Fed’s updated economic projections now show a 50bp rate cut in 2025 to 3.9%...
As expected, the Fed lowered the benchmark rate by 25bp to a target range of 4.50%-4.75%, the second rate cut in the past four years. The Fed changed language on this statement to note “labor market conditions have generally eased,”...
The Fed lowered the benchmark rate by 50bp to a target range of 4.75%-5.00%, the first rate cut in over four years. The Fed sees rates at 4.4% by the end of 2024, and 3.4% by the end of 2025....
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 5.25%-5.50% for the eighth consecutive meeting. According to the statement, upside risks to inflation have decreased as the labor market has softened, and it noted that careful monitoring...
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 5.25%-5.50% for the seventh consecutive meeting. The Fed also updated rate cut projections for 2024 from 75bp to 25bp, and increased 2025 rate cut projections from 75bp to...
As anticipated, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 5.25%-5.50% for the sixth consecutive meeting. The Fed stated “there has been a lack of further progress toward the Committee’s 2% inflation objective”, implying they will remain on...
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 5.25%-5.50% for the fifth consecutive meeting. The Fed’s updated economic projections maintain 75bps of rate cuts in 2024. However, the 2025 rate cut projections were reduced to 75bps...
As expected, the FOMC did not change its benchmark rate range from 5.25%-5.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting. The Fed implied they are done raising rates, however they are not ready to start cutting rates at the next meeting. The...
Small business optimism dipped slightly in February 2026 but remains near long term norms, creating an opening for CFIs to support cautious owners with cash flow advice, flexible credit, and relationship banking.
We review February 2026 economic data and indicators, highlighting trends in consumer activity, banking industry trends, inflation, housing, and Fed policy — offering a snapshot of current financial and market conditions.
US consumer confidence fell sharply in January 2026 to its lowest level since 2014, signaling growing economic uncertainty and cautious spending. These challenges present CFIs with opportunities to guide worried consumers.
Per tradition, we're looking back on our top articles of the year to BID goodbye to 2025. As federal payments shift to faster digital methods, CFIs can support SMB clients by modernizing payment tools, encouraging digital adoption, and delivering real-time capabilities that meet evolving business expectations.
The FDIC has released its quarterly banking profile for Q3 2025. We review the key data and what it tells us about the health of community banks.
Bank Director’s 2025 Technology Survey reveals a mismatch between technology/AI investment and effective data usage, legacy integration, and ROI measurement. We explore the survey’s key findings and implications for CFIs.
We review September 2025 economic data and indicators, highlighting trends in consumer activity, banking industry trends, inflation, housing, and Fed policy — offering a snapshot of current financial and market conditions.
CDFIs are on a mission to expand economic opportunities in historically underserved, low-income communities by providing greater access to financial products and services. We detail findings from the Federal Reserve’s recent study on their progress.
Heightened competition and rising costs, along with a dearth of acquisition opportunities, are spurring a rising number of financial institutions to embrace mergers of equals.
The FOMC just cut interest rates for the first time in 2025. We detail why this rate cut is different, what it means for your CFI, and how to prepare for any impact.
The FDIC has released its quarterly banking profile for Q2 2025. We review the key data and what it tells us about the health of community banks.
Amidst ongoing signs that a recession could be looming, now is the best time for CFIs to prepare for the worst. The best way to do so may be looking to lessons from past economic downturns, along with changing technological benefits.
How can CFIs strengthen their recruitment and retention strategies to attract and keep top talent? We discuss findings from Bank Director’s 2025 Compensation & Talent Survey and highlight current talent acquisition trends.
We review June 2025 economic data and indicators, highlighting trends in consumer activity, employment, inflation, housing, and Fed policy — offering a snapshot of current financial and market conditions.
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman has called for a sweeping bank regulation overhaul. We delve into some of her ideas to tailor regulations for community financial institutions.
Due to high production costs, the US Mint will press the very last penny early next year. We discuss the impact for consumers, businesses, and CFIs.
The market for bank mergers and acquisitions was on the quiet side last year, but it’s picking up. We explain how CFIs can put themselves in the best positions as M&A returns.
In a recent webinar from the Kansas City Fed, economic experts discuss the impact of higher production costs, lower commodity prices, and potential new challenges with reciprocal tariffs on agriculture lending.
Amid the current economic uncertainty brought on by tariffs, stagflation fears are rising. We discuss expert analysis and what CFIs can do to support their small business customers in these unsettled times.
As tariffs and potential tariffs alter international trade and supply chain costs, small businesses are bracing for impact. We discuss how to help SMBs weather these higher costs with long-term planning.
As federal payments shift to faster digital methods, CFIs can support SMB clients by modernizing payment tools, encouraging digital adoption, and delivering real-time capabilities that meet evolving business expectations.
We review March 2025 economic data and indicators, highlighting trends in consumer activity, employment, inflation, housing, and Fed policy — offering a snapshot of current financial and market conditions.
As regulations ease, banking sector M&A is gaining steam. CFIs can use strategic deals to access new markets, technology, and capital — without losing sight of their core identity.
In the current economic uncertainty, consumer confidence is falling and spending is expected to slow. We look at how this impacts SMBs and how CFIs can support them.
New tariffs on imports are reshaping trade dynamics, with recent exemptions easing some pressures. CFIs must assess risk exposure, adjust lending strategies, and support affected businesses. We discuss ways to help navigate these evolving policies while maintaining financial stability.
We take a look at January’s economic data, where job growth slowed, trade concerns persisted, and consumer spending remained strong — key trends shaping the outlook for CFIs.
CFIs are prioritizing digital transformation to boost efficiency and meet expectations, per BNY’s 2024 Voice of Community Banks Survey.
From Fed funds rate projections to housing trends, we provide insights on the recent economy using standard indicators for businesses and consumers and share the latest projections for 2025.
Community banks notched favorable financial results in Q3’2024 as the small bank sector headed toward an upbeat end of the year. Things appear poised for a strong start to 2025.
The FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund’s reserve ratio is on track to reach the statutory minimum of 1.35% by 2026 — two years ahead of schedule. We discuss the impact on community banks.
The ABA’s Economic Advisory Committee projects a slowdown in the US economy, but the threat of a recession remains, due to labor market and consumer credit quality concerns. We provide details.
Sales data suggests a gap between buyer and seller price expectations in M&A. CFIs can maximize value by finding strategic business combinations that leverage both sides’ strengths and minimize weaknesses.
While asset quality is strong, rising charge-offs in CRE and credit cards suggest it’s time for CFIs to revisit risk management strategies. We discuss the trend and responses to consider.
The 2024 CSBS Annual Survey of Community Banks reports regulatory burdens, cost of funds, and cybersecurity as the top challenges facing community bankers. We highlight the survey’s key findings.
BAI recently hosted a webinar featuring insights on current trends and projections for small business deposit growth. We look at some of the key information from the webinar.
Just as leaves turn colors each fall, the economy is changing, too. We highlight key indicators such as rate cuts and spending trends to understand what this fall has in store.
A growing number of credit unions are acquiring banks, expanding beyond traditional mergers with other credit unions. Industry analysts decode why banks are appealing acquisition targets for credit unions.
Mobile driver’s licenses are quickly picking up speed, offering many benefits such as ease of use and new online security measures. But they are not without their challenges.
Target is the sixth major retailer to ban checks, due to low usage, high processing costs, and fraud. However, check usage remains a force within certain pockets of the economy.
If interest-rate cuts begin this fall, experts predict an uptick in home sales and refinancing, which should create a butterfly effect within the economy as homeowners prepare their new homes. We discuss the potential trend and impact on CFIs.
Certain states allow uninsured banks to have charters and sometimes access to a Fed master account. We discuss what this might mean for the financial industry and CFIs.
Cloud computing is ubiquitous, but it comes with drawbacks. We discuss why some companies have begun to repatriate some of their operations and storage from the cloud to onsite facilities.
Most bankers expect their institutions to grow in the coming year. Big banks are more optimistic than small ones, but a positive outlook appears throughout the industry, according to a new survey.
The Federal Reserve is considering keeping its Fedwire® Funds Service (Fedwire) and the National Settlement Service (NSS) running seven days a week, including holidays. We detail the potential benefits and costs.
The hospitality industry has seen an uptick in activity, but challenges remain that CFIs should not forget about. We review the improvements and setbacks that the hospitality industry is experiencing.
While rates haven’t moved in a while, data shows some important trends moving in the right direction. We discuss consumer sentiment, the housing market, and the general economy.
Bank cards don’t have to be traditional plastic; Mastercard says that by 2028, they shouldn’t be. We discuss environmentally friendly alternative materials along with eco-conscious initiatives for plastic cards in the meantime.
Bank M&A activity in 2023 was dismal, but early indicators have shown that activity should increase in 2024. Three bankers gave their take during a recent webinar hosted by Bank Director and Ardmore Banking Advisors Inc. We discuss which factors are driving M&A this year and what CFIs should consider before inking a deal.
For some of the largest banks in the US, branch openings outnumbered closings for the first time in a decade in 2023. Yet, branches are still being closed across the country, as digital banking gains popularity. We look at the reasons behind large banks' decisions to open new branches, even as online banking gains momentum, to learn how institutions are adapting to meet the diverse needs of today's banking customers.
The OCC and FDIC have each proposed rules to enhance transparency around their processes of reviewing M&A transactions under the Bank Merger Act. We summarize the details of each agency’s proposal and provide resources to review and comment on the suggested changes.
Once again, economic data is filled with sunshine, but general market sentiment continues to function as cloud cover. We discuss consumer sentiment, the housing market, and the general economy.
The commercial real estate sector experienced significant headwinds during 2023. Fortunately, early signs suggest a more stable, and in some cases positive, market in 2024. We review the outlook for the industry and suggest ways in which CFIs can manage risk and continue to support their CRE customers.