Economic indicators

With prices increasing faster than they have since the 1990s, the Federal Reserve appears poised to tighten monetary policy. Top industry executives are worried about the chances of either a recession or runaway inflation, depending on whether the central bank moves too quickly or too slowly.

“The deceleration in economic activity was largely attributable to a pullback in dining out, travel, and tourism in most Districts, reflecting safety concerns due to the rise of the Delta variant,” the central bank said in its Beige Book survey.

Earlier this summer, bankers sounded upbeat about Americans’ purchasing patterns, particularly in connection with loan growth in the credit card business. But more recent data suggests that the delta variant is taking a toll on consumer confidence.

The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates low to reduce unemployment and to keep prices stable. But in “Engine of Inequality," Karen Petrou argues that its accommodative stance is actually making the wealth gap wider.

A survey commissioned by Bank of America found that Black entrepreneurs are more hopeful about revenue opportunities than other small-business owners, though many are still struggling to bring in the capital needed to expand.

The latest monthly Trends Report from CUNA Mutual Group showed October's year-over-year membership growth rate was the slowest since the fall of 2014.

Though there is some optimism about an economic recovery, two-thirds of respondents said they expect revenue to be flat of down next year and just 13% plan to be in hiring mode.

It remains unclear how Mark McWatters's departure will impact the credit union regulator, and there is growing evidence that the country could face a "double-dip recession."

A public-private partnership that has fewer rules and restrictions than the Paycheck Protection Program would save more small businesses.

It may be a long time before corporate travel resembles anything close to normal. While most organizations keep their generic travel bans in place, which increasingly look likely to last for the remainder of the year, what are the predictions around restarting business travel in the near future?

It may be a long time before corporate travel resembles anything close to normal. While most organizations keep their generic travel bans in place, which increasingly look likely to last for the remainder of the year, what are the predictions around restarting business travel in the near future?

Commercial real estate is facing another crisis as companies shift to work-from-home policies. Banks and regulators should brace themselves.

As lawmakers scramble to enact coronavirus relief legislation, some industry groups have suggested Americans could be in for “one of the greatest economic disruptions since the Great Depression.”

After rising between 2016 and 2018, the card issuer's charge-off rates are now steady. The trend reflects both the impact of tighter underwriting standards and the continued resilience of U.S. consumers.

The large credit card issuers are becoming more selective about who they are extending credit to and how much they are willing to lend, their CEOs said Tuesday.

The federal government's more active role in GDP, payroll and other vital statistics produced by the island could hasten its recovery from Hurricane Maria and lift lending and bank valuations at the same time.

Credit unions need to be thinking about pressure on net interest margins and declining revenues.

The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to keep the countercyclical capital buffer at its current level of zero, ending some speculation that the board could be looking at a possible increase.

The industry could see a boost in mortgage lending from regulatory changes, but other factors may slow growth.

One Federal Reserve governor’s push to use an untapped capital buffer to counteract potential losses is stoking concerns that such a maneuver could spook financial markets.