Inflation may a concern in nearly every country right now, but Vice President of Foreign Exchange Angie Kappel reports that world economic growth is surging this year. The U.S. continues to lead the way with Mexico following closely behind, thanks to the emergence of nearshoring.

05/02/2024: Angie Kappel - Global economics from a currency perspective

SVP Dan Barrins looks at the challenges facing Chicago’s CRE scene: high rents, tight supply, and construction slowdowns due to rates and tariffs. Industrial near O’Hare stays strong, as suburban medical office growth reflects shifting needs. Long-term affordability will hinge on rate moves, wage growth and future supply.

07/10/2025: Dan Barrins - Chicago commercial: Rising costs, limited supply & shifting demand

Melissa Cooper highlights the shift from paper to digital payments due to better security, speed and cost. Check fraud remains a big issue, so businesses are embracing newer payment types like virtual cards and digital wallets that offer low fraud risk. In turn, banks are using AI to further detect threats as quickly as possible. She also offers tips on the latest scams affecting both businesses and consumers.

07/17/2025: Melissa Cooper - Digital Defense: Businesses Fight Fraud with Smarter Payment Options

Commercial Banking SVP Doug McClure sees cautious optimism in the economy, with lower recession odds and slowly easing inflation. Businesses still face challenges of tariffs and labor gaps but are focusing on retention, automation and growth. Despite global pressures, local markets remain hopeful and forward-looking.

07/25/2025: Doug McClure - Strategic Growth Helping Businesses Through Uncertainty

Michael Hides, SVP at Associated Bank, discusses how AI is helping small businesses streamline tasks, reduce costs and focus on growth. While some fear job loss, he sees AI as a tool for efficiency and expansion. He’s cautiously optimistic about the economy, with clearer trends expected by fall. 

07/31/2025: Michael Hides - AI, Efficiency, and Optimism: Associated Bank’s Michael Hides on the Future of Business

Businesses are showing signs of resilience after a rocky start to the year, says Danny Salazar of Associated Bank. Despite tariff shocks and labor challenges, confidence and earnings are rebounding as owners adapt and prepare for more economic shifts ahead. 

08/08/2025: Danny Salazar - Business Trends, Tariffs and What’s Ahead for Q3

Angie Kappel unpacks CPI data, noting tariffs are already raising import prices and sharing her outlook for the year ahead. Fed rate cuts are likely, though political pressure on its independence worries markets. Cheaper borrowing could spur growth, yet the dollar stays weak as investors eye other currencies.

 

08/14/2025: Angie Kappel - Inflation, Tariffs & the Fed: Market Crosscurrents Ahead

Residential Loan Officer Kim Adams reports that the sluggish residential real estate business is beginning to pick up, as mortgage rates drop to their lowest in 10 months. Now might be a good time for potential homebuyers to restart a conversation with their lender; Kim offers a to-do checklist for those thinking of getting back into the market.

08/21/2025: Kim Adams - Some light at the end of the homebuying tunnel

SVP/Private Banking Group Manager Caryn Levey explores the potential Fed rate cut and its impact on mortgages, loans and debt. She shares refinancing advice, urges careful attention to credit scores and reports, and takes a look at HELOCs, credit cards, personal loans and student loans to help consumers prepare for shifting rates and policies.

08/28/2025: Caryn Levey - What Potential Fed Rate Cuts Means for Consumers

Some of Associated Bank's most well-respected financial leaders offer their analysis of current events in the financial world. You won't want to miss these conversations. From discussing local commercial real estate to assessing national and global economic trends to dissecting political implications on the banking industry – anything is fair game.