Inflation

Presumptive Fed Chair Warsh isn't a fan of jawboning, but that is actually, exactly how the central bank gets its point across.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company added to its cash hoard as a cushion against any economic dislocation connected to the conflict in the Middle East. The move narrowed Huntington's expected net interest margin for 2026.

Economists and policy analysts say a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — and uncertainty about the duration of the conflict — could drive up inflation and further weaken consumer sentiment, which could weigh on bank earnings.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said Friday that the length of time the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked will be a key factor in the longer-term inflation outlook — and, by extension, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path.

The Cleveland company's merger-and-acquisition pipeline is bursting with deals, said CEO Chris Gorman, but geopolitical concerns are causing some clients to "slow-play" their transactions.

Federal Reserve Gov. Stephen Miran Thursday said that the Iran war and tariffs will not have long-term impacts on inflation, but did say he is reconsidering his rate cut outlook for the year.

After a strong first quarter, America's second-largest bank hailed the resilience of the U.S. consumer, but also forecast rising inflation in the near future.

Bank of America and Oracle are among those tweaking their treasury management and supply chain technology, partly to address clients that face cash management challenges from geopolitical risk.

A 21.2% spike in the price of gasoline was the biggest contributor to a 0.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index in March, according to a Friday report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency said other price increases were largely contained.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said in a speech Tuesday that despite positive employment readings in recent months, he remains concerned that an economic shock could still threaten the labor market.

Two former members of the Federal Open Market Committee said in interviews that they expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates steady amid uncertainty over the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting upward pressure on inflation.

In three separate appearances Thursday, Fed Gov. Lisa Cook, Gov. Michael Barr and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said they are worried that U.S. involvement in the war with Iran could drive up inflation, leading them to conclude that interest rates should remain steady in the near term.

The Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to keep rates unchanged, but all eyes will be on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's commentary about the economic impacts of the Iran war and its longer-term impact on inflation.

New research sheds light on the real causes of bank failures; and the economic numbers aren't adding up to a recession, yet.

Chief economists at large and regional banks predicted ongoing inflation, in part because of the anticipated surge in oil prices as a result of the Iran war. The forecast from the American Bankers Association's Economic Advisory Committee did not account for the disappointing U.S. jobs report on Friday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a public appearance in Dallas Friday that the administration will seek alternative means of enacting the White House's tariff agenda after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs as outside the bounds of the law.

The path of US interest rates remains in focus following the slower-than-expected US inflation print as traders fully price a Fed cut in July.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its January Consumer Price Index Friday, showing that inflation rose 0.2%, while the annual rate eased to 2.4% after holding at 2.7% for several months. The data reduces the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the near future. 

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said in a speech Friday that long-term productivity gains brought on by artificial intelligence could compel the central bank to maintain higher rates to keep prices stable.

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook said in a speech Wednesday night that the central bank's credibility depends on its ability to bring inflation back to its 2% target.