Small business optimism remains stunted amid high inflation and staff shortages, but consumer spending continues to drive hiring and buoy the economy, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index increased 0.4 points in May to 89.4, its 17th straight month of being below the 49-year historical average of 98. [Continue]
The regional economy continues to slowly grow, according to Creighton University’s June Business Conditions Index. [Continue]
The concept of a public/private standards-setting organization to spark partnerships between community banks and fintechs “merits further consideration,” said FDIC Vice Chair Travis Hill. [Continue]
Carroll, Iowa-based Availa Bank hired Sheila Akridge as a vice president and loan officer to work from the bank’s Pocahontas, Iowa, branch. Akridge attended Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Iowa, and Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, and has degrees in business management and administration. She was previously an assistant vice president at another financial … Read more
Indiana-based Centier Bank hired Timothy Schooler as senior vice president, market president of the bank’s greater Lafayette, Ind., market. Schooler has more than 20 years of experience in banking with a focus on commercial lending. Schooler is working alongside Joe Howarth, who has served in the role for the last nine years and has since … Read more
St. Cloud, Minn.-based Stearns Bank announced the retirements of directors Tom Williams and Roger Voit. Voit was named Stearns Bank Upsala N.A. Board Director Emeritus. He joined Stearns Bank — at the time state-chartered First State Bank of Albany — 66 years ago as he finished high school. Voit retired from the bank in 2014 … Read more
Oregon, Wis.-based One Community Bank named Audra Dalsoren vice president commercial banking officer at its Stoughton, Wis., office. Dalsoren has two decades of banking experience with 15 years of work in agricultural and commercial credit. “Audra will be an important partner to our area businesses,” said Senior Market President Scott Hoerth.
The unemployment rate increased to 3.7 percent in May as the economy added 339,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [Continue]
A sharp increase in regulatory compliance expenses will likely spark a rise in community bank M&A, according to minutes from a recent Federal Reserve advisory council meeting. [Continue]
Banking trade groups say the recently reintroduced bill changing credit card “swipe fee” rules will harm community banks and prove detrimental to consumers. [Continue]