Economy

Bankers' surveys of commercial clients have found that corporate decision-makers are less concerned about adverse tariff effects than nervous investors.

The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index is down more than 7% year to date. Analysts blame confusion caused by President Trump's evolving tariff policies and heightened worries about an economic downturn that could hurt banks' credit quality.

The 10-year-old lender, which reported a double-digit jump in profits, is benefiting from what its CEO called "animal spirits" at work on this side of the Atlantic.

Forecasters on an American Bankers Association panel predict continued economic growth this year, though they say President Trump's tariffs have created new inflation and recession risks.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said the Founding Fathers supported independent money management and undoing it now would be a mistake.

Unclear and inconsistent signals from Washington about tariffs, tax policy and the capacity of federal agencies are already spurring more conservative consumer-spending habits and could drag down economic growth, economists say.

A March 2025 survey by the National Association for Business Economics shows growing inflation concerns — and a diminishing chance of rate cuts — in 2025, but also optimism about avoiding a recession.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects the U.S. housing market to quickly pick up steam after recent indicators came in below forecasts.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation index showed little progress toward its target of 2%, increasing the likelihood of a prolonged rate pause.

While Freddie Mac's weekly survey showed 30-year rates falling, other indicators paint a mixed picture for mortgage lenders and borrowers.

Foreclosure filings increased 7% in January from December, which could be a housing market starting to experience trouble, or a post-holiday return to normal.

Trump's Small Business Administration told probationary staff members it had mistakenly sent them termination notices, then informed some of them the next day they were fired after all.

CEO-designate Gunjan Kedia said payments growth is critical to the Minneapolis-based regional's overall success. Dealmaking will take a back seat to organic growth for the time being, she added.

Ramp, NerdWallet and Rocket all released commercials at this year's Super Bowl where the Eagles defeated two-time reigning champions the Chiefs.

Employers added fewer workers than anticipated last month, but upward revisions to previous estimates drove down the jobless rate. The report gives no clear directive to the Federal Reserve, which put rate cuts on hold last month.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage continues to slip away from the 7% mark, Freddie Mac said, but experts still expect them to stay higher for longer.

With the Federal Reserve eyeing changes to its annual examination of large bank resilience, this year's test could be the last of its kind.