Commercial Banking SVP Doug McClure offers a pulse-check of Midwest business: stability should carry into 2025, with modest growth potential. Challenges remain interest rates, hiring, and tariffs, as businesses focus on retention and look to AI for productivity. Agile smaller businesses may actually see a bump in 2025, with tax cuts playing a role.

02/27/2025: Doug McClure - How regional businesses are facing 2025

Jake Braund offers his thoughts on the effects of uncertainty on today’s markets. The latest jobs report fell short, with only half the expected gains. Concerns about tariffs are also fueling hiring hesitancy and dampening consumer and business spending. Combined with still-stubborn inflation, the Fed’s rate decisions will be difficult.

03/11/2025: Jake Braund - Uncertainty clouds current economic conditions

Unpredictable tariff policies and overall volatility in the U.S. are, according to economists, spinning toward a recessionary environment. But, as Associated Bank’s Diamond Young explains, there are a few things to consider that may help your business weather the current storm.

03/13/2025: Diamond Young - Keeping a cool head in turbulent times

Buying—and selling—a home is still tough going. Rates, inventory, tariff uncertainty and future Fed moves are staying top of mind. However, Associated Bank Residential Mortgage Loan Officer Lori Rinaldi has tips that can help—including the importance of carefully working through the preapproval process.

03/20/2025: Lori Rinaldi - Keeping focused in a volatile homebuyers’ market

VP/Foreign Exchange Angie Kappel shares her insights on current fluctuations in international trade. With uncertain U.S. tariff policies making headlines, consumer confidence is waning as businesses delay big investments. Hedging is becoming crucial in this world of volatile global currency values; Associated Bank already been helping corporations plan around it.

03/27/2025: Angie Kappel - Tariff uncertainty chips away at consumer & business confidence

Residential Loan Officer Kim Adams shares her observations of 2025’s residential real estate market. Mortgage applications are up, but the market remains competitive, as prices continue to rise due to low inventory. She advises why potential buyers should get preapproved, decide on a manageable monthly payment, have a downpayment saved up and be ready to act.

04/04/2025: Kim Adams - Finding a place stays challenging in 2025’s housing market

SVP/Relationship Manager Drew Lear warns of the effects of unpredictable tariffs on Main Street, as small businesses attempt to balance costs. Building infrastructure to improve domestic sourcing will take time and money. Volatility from trade wars has triggered recession fears, stalling even large companies' growth plans.

04/10/2025: Drew Lear - Tariff Turmoil: Businesses large and small weigh big risks

CRE SVP Dan Barrins is already seeing the chilling effect of tariffs, as clients navigate higher costs in inventory and construction. Nearshoring might help, but those who began sourcing closer to home during the pandemic have an edge. Dan also looks at a possible plateau in office leasing activity and what lies ahead for Class A, B and C properties.

04/17/2025: Dan Barrins - Commercial real estate reels at tariffs

Melissa Cooper discusses digital payment trends: a shift from paper to real-time payments, virtual cards and AI-driven automation. Digital cuts costs, boosts efficiency, reduces fraud, and supports sustainability. She also shares key things to look for in digital products and providers such as rewards, virtual cards and integrated payables.

04/24/2025: Melissa Cooper - Digital payment options can boost business payables

Recent jobs and GDP reports are showing weakening confidence within both consumer business markets. EVP/Commercial Relationship Manager Danny Salazar shares what he’s heard from clients—primarily, their shift from long-term strategies to month-to-month management in a volatile economic environment.

05/01/2025: Danny Salazar - Tariffs and changing policies result in changing business plans

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.

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