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Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

Originally predicted to be a year of falling rates, rate-cut expectations have since come down considerably and some analysts are even anticipating that the Federal Reserve could hike rates at some point in 2025. Meanwhile, most financial institutions have outsized risk exposure one way or another—but this can and should change. We believe that beginning to fix the institution’s balance sheet mismatch now makes sense versus waiting for the Fed.

Rather than asking which way certain rates will move and by how much—a question that’s impossible to answer at this point—decision-makers at your financial institution instead should be asking: What can we do now that will be most impactful regardless of what the rate environment brings? The answers lie in your institution’s loan portfolio and deposit strategies.

Have an ‘all-weather’ strategy for 2025

Given that many institutions have outsized exposure to interest rate changes, it’s crucial to address these risks early in the year. The first step is determining whether your institution is adequately positioned for the current rate environment. Many community banks have faced challenges due to the rapid rise in interest rates over the past few years and are still not fully prepared for this environment. As rates are not expected to fall dramatically in the near term, unless there is a severe economic slowdown, institutions in this position should reassess their deposit pricing strategies to ensure they are competitive yet profitable.

If your institution is well-positioned for the current rate environment, there is still work to be done. It’s time to reassess your institution’s balance sheet in light of the ongoing uncertainty, preparing for both upward and downward rate movements to mitigate risk and maximize returns. Remember that decisions made now can set the tone for the entire year, making early action essential.

Fortunately, your institution doesn’t have to recreate the wheel when approaching this “all-weather” strategy; rather it’s just a matter of optimizing what your institution is already doing. This includes:

  • Maximizing loan yields: Institutions should focus on obtaining the highest possible yields on loan renewals without losing business. This involves securing better rates and terms and not giving away revenue unnecessarily.
  • Determining the most optimal deposit pricing: Getting deposit pricing right early in the year is crucial for driving revenue and improving margins.
  • Making strategic investments: Given the significant changes to the yield curve over the past few months, institutions must evaluate their options for deploying cash and reinvesting. Investing in securities with favorable yields and durations can help institutions manage their interest rate risk and improve overall returns.
  • Staying informed of economic changes: The Fed’s focus on inflation and employment will play a crucial role in determining future rate movements. Decision-makers at your financial institution should stay informed about these trends and adjust their strategies accordingly. Similarly, it’s important to understand what drives consumer spending and government spending, as these factors can significantly impact the country’s economic outlook and influence the strategies that financial institutions should adopt.

Finally, although the uncertainty surrounding changes in presidential policies and resulting economic impacts may seem more pronounced this year, it’s important to keep in mind that your institution has handled uncertainty before. By focusing on balance sheet management, optimizing loan and deposit strategies, and staying adaptable to economic changes, institutions can position themselves for success in the coming year. This includes taking a proactive approach and leveraging the current rate environment to your advantage rather than merely reacting to the changes as they occur.

Kent Musbach is a senior vice president and Marc Gall is a senior vice president and asset/liability strategist for BOK Financial Capital Markets.

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and tailored solutions. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are:  NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

April 23, 2025/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2025-04-23 08:02:502025-04-23 08:02:50Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment
Member News, News, Resources

Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

Originally predicted to be a year of falling rates, rate-cut expectations have since come down considerably and some analysts are even anticipating that the Federal Reserve could hike rates at some point in 2025. Meanwhile, most financial institutions have outsized risk exposure one way or another—but this can and should change. We believe that beginning to fix the institution’s balance sheet mismatch now makes sense versus waiting for the Fed.

Rather than asking which way certain rates will move and by how much—a question that’s impossible to answer at this point—decision-makers at your financial institution instead should be asking: What can we do now that will be most impactful regardless of what the rate environment brings? The answers lie in your institution’s loan portfolio and deposit strategies.

Have an ‘all-weather’ strategy for 2025

Given that many institutions have outsized exposure to interest rate changes, it’s crucial to address these risks early in the year. The first step is determining whether your institution is adequately positioned for the current rate environment. Many community banks have faced challenges due to the rapid rise in interest rates over the past few years and are still not fully prepared for this environment. As rates are not expected to fall dramatically in the near term, unless there is a severe economic slowdown, institutions in this position should reassess their deposit pricing strategies to ensure they are competitive yet profitable.

If your institution is well-positioned for the current rate environment, there is still work to be done. It’s time to reassess your institution’s balance sheet in light of the ongoing uncertainty, preparing for both upward and downward rate movements to mitigate risk and maximize returns. Remember that decisions made now can set the tone for the entire year, making early action essential.

Fortunately, your institution doesn’t have to recreate the wheel when approaching this “all-weather” strategy; rather it’s just a matter of optimizing what your institution is already doing. This includes:

Maximizing loan yields: Institutions should focus on obtaining the highest possible yields on loan renewals without losing business. This involves securing better rates and terms and not giving away revenue unnecessarily.

Determining the most optimal deposit pricing: Getting deposit pricing right early in the year is crucial for driving revenue and improving margins.

Making strategic investments: Given the significant changes to the yield curve over the past few months, institutions must evaluate their options for deploying cash and reinvesting. Investing in securities with favorable yields and durations can help institutions manage their interest rate risk and improve overall returns.

Staying informed of economic changes: The Fed’s focus on inflation and employment will play a crucial role in determining future rate movements. Decision-makers at your financial institution should stay informed about these trends and adjust their strategies accordingly. Similarly, it’s important to understand what drives consumer spending and government spending, as these factors can significantly impact the country’s economic outlook and influence the strategies that financial institutions should adopt.

Finally, although the uncertainty surrounding changes in presidential policies and resulting economic impacts may seem more pronounced this year, it’s important to keep in mind that your institution has handled uncertainty before. By focusing on balance sheet management, optimizing loan and deposit strategies, and staying adaptable to economic changes, institutions can position themselves for success in the coming year. This includes taking a proactive approach and leveraging the current rate environment to your advantage rather than merely reacting to the changes as they occur.

Contact Information

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

bokfinancial.com/institutions

Disclosure

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

March 10, 2025/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2025-03-10 08:49:162025-03-10 08:49:16Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment
Member News, News, Resources

Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

After four years of hiking rates and then keeping them high, the Federal Reserve has now started lowering rates, hitting the ground running with a large cut of 50 basis points (0.50%) in September. As rates continue to fall, it’s important for management teams to understand how lower rates will impact their institutions’ income statements and to take steps to better position themselves for the even lower-rate environment likely to come.

Past, present and future conditions

First, let’s consider where we are now and how we’ve gotten here. Over the past few years, federal and consumer spending have been driving economic growth, despite higher interest rates. However, with many consumers now having used up all their excess savings from COVID—and then some—and also having record credit card debt, it’s questionable whether consumer spending can last at these levels. Meanwhile, unemployment has risen, which has raised concerns about weakening in the job market, even though unemployment is still relatively low on a historical basis. Given all these factors, the market is now forecasting a large number of Fed rate cuts, and some investors are wondering if the Fed can still pull off a soft landing or if a recession is in the making.

Preparing for 2025

Against this backdrop, each decision your management team makes in the last quarter of 2024 will be impactful for 2025. For instance, one important question to consider is when to begin cutting deposit rates. As financial institutions assess their ability and willingness to do so, margin and liquidity position will be important considerations. The news cycle also may aid decision-making this time around, as the Fed cuts likely will be well covered by the media. Consider reviewing rates against wholesale funding rates regularly and be prepared to adjust deposit rates frequently. Conversely, intermediate Treasury and wholesale funding rates have already fallen. To the fullest extent possible, attempt to hold loan rates higher for longer until the cost of funds begins to recede. Frequently, we see a race to the bottom on loan rates, so be prepared to fight for every basis point! This strategy may allow your institution to manage net interest margin from both sides of the balance sheet.

Understanding your interest rate risk position

With a significant inversion in the yield curve between Fed Funds and intermediate Treasuries, a non-parallel yield curve shift may be a more likely outcome. This may be led by the front end coming down more significantly than any changes in term Treasury rates that have already accounted for expected future rate cuts. If your institution has substantial risk around falling rates, you may be wondering if it is too late to manage your position given the inversion in the curve. What if you will benefit at some point from a steeper lower yield curve? Can you wait it out? With these questions in mind, you may want to take some proactive steps to hedge the risk of the market being wrong.

Investment portfolio conundrum

The current yield curve challenges investors to diversify risks. Although keeping large amounts of cash or short securities can generate the highest yield today, doing so could result in significant yield erosion if or when the short end comes down. Equally, the decision to lock into investments further out on the curve may give up immediate earnings for possible future benefit.

Instead, a balanced investment strategy could allow your institution to add a mix of securities that average a yield close to the Fed Funds rate with an allocation to call-protected assets. We urge management teams to consider the trade-off of investing in only the highest yield options compared to the potential benefits of adding assets with call protection that could result in an unrealized gain when the Fed lowers rates further.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that repeating the past is unlikely, but it’s still essential to learn from it. Understanding the choices that your institution made and then making informed decisions for the future is how your institution can and will put its best foot forward.

Contact Information

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

bokfinancial.com/institutions

Disclosure

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

November 14, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-11-14 07:49:502024-11-14 07:49:50Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment
Member News, Resources

The Continued Importance of Succession Planning in Community Banking

Sponsored content by Wipfli, a WBA Silver Associate Member

By Robert H. Zondag 

Successful banking teams, as well as regulators, recognize proactive succession planning as a key governance tool. The right planning can promote a bank’s resilience, especially during challenging times, and positively impact shareholder value. 

What are specific ways that succession planning positively impacts a community bank? 

  • Risk mitigation: Effective succession planning minimizes disruptions caused by leadership changes. By reducing uncertainty for all stakeholders, succession planning promotes continuity, a key disruptor to achieving an institution’s long-term strategies 
  • Talent development: Succession planning demonstrates a commitment to employee development, attracting and retaining top talent in key functional areas. 
  • Business continuity: A well-prepared succession plan helps ensure smooth operations even when key leaders transition. Institutions are facing the need to document institutional knowledge or various procedures that have been the dominion of long-tenured employees. 

What are some challenges institutions face in succession planning? 

Community banks often face unique challenges, such as: 

  • Pipeline of qualified candidates: Without a pool of qualified candidates, it can be difficult to identify, recruit and nurture potential leaders. Rural or geographic concerns often create challenges in identifying candidates. 
  • Providing competitive salaries: Tight margins and budget strains impact the ability to offer competitive compensation to retain talent. 
  • Cultural fit: Balancing succession with maintaining the bank’s cultural characteristics is becoming more common. 
  • Widening range of skill sets: The complexity of managing a banking operation has increased the range and depth of skills needed for leadership. This large range of skills can also force an institution to consider outsourcing as an alternative to recruitment. 

It starts with a timeline and the need to document. So, what are the steps for effective succession planning? 

  1. Assess and map talent needs: Understand short- and long-term talent requirements for the institution. Each institution is unique, so the talent map will vary based on need. 
  1. Identify potential leaders: Look within the organization and consider external candidates. Often, a third party can provide an unbiased assessment of individuals. 
  1. Develop leadership skills: Using your talent map, understand what training and mentorship needs to be provided. 
  1. Develop a succession pipeline: Determine what steps can be taken to ensure a pool of qualified successors. 
  1. Regularly review and update: Review your documented plan consistently. What needs to be adapted to changing circumstances? 
  1. Involve the board: From both an operational and regulatory perspective, the engagement of the board in succession discussions is critical. (Note: Board succession is a separate matter from internal succession planning.) 
  1. Communicate the plan: Transparency is crucial for buy-in and alignment for all stakeholders. 

Community banks must prioritize succession planning to navigate leadership transitions effectively and maintain stability. By doing so, they safeguard their future success and the stakeholders they serve. 

How Wipfli can help 

If your community bank is dealing with succession planning challenges, our financial professionals are ready to help. We can assist in drafting a road map to a more secure outlook for your organization. Talk to one of our advisors today to get started on a plan for the future. 

October 7, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-10-07 08:00:472024-10-07 08:00:47The Continued Importance of Succession Planning in Community Banking
Resources

Outsourcing:  Getting to Go/No-Go

Key Considerations for Choosing a Strategic Growth Partner

Sponsored content by Ascensus, WBA Associate Member

If retirement plan administration isn’t a core capability or key business objective, it can still be a positive lever for your business. Large and small institutions are finding a flexible partnership model enables them to reduce or eliminate the cost and risk of functioning on outdated systems, while freeing revenue and capacity to focus on higher value relationship management and cross solutioning. Wherever you’re at in your decision tree, and whatever administration pain points you’re encountering, the most recent white paper from Ascensus reviews key questions to ask and capabilities to look for in a strategic growth partner.

Read White Paper

 

 

September 26, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Lime-Green.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-09-26 09:05:472024-09-30 12:46:55Outsourcing:  Getting to Go/No-Go
Member News, News, Resources

How the Right IT Managed Security Services Provider Can Help You Optimize and Grow

Sponsored content by Wipfli, a WBA Silver Associate Member

By Tom Wojcinski and Jeff Olejnik

IT Managed security services are vital in helping financial institutions oversee IT operations and compliance — but the right provider can take that role further.

IT Managed security services that bring increased capability and industry specialization can go from managing your IT infrastructure to modernizing it, acting as a strategic partner in identifying the solutions you need to optimize workflows and enhance the customer experience. And it can help you understand the latest updates to the cyberthreat landscape and regulatory priorities so your operations stay secure and compliant.

When you’re working with the right provider, you’re not just getting support for your servers — you’re getting support for your business.

Here are four ways IT managed security services can help you hand off operational tasks and grow your institution:

1. Modernizing your IT infrastructure

To implement the latest solutions, increase productivity and better reach customers, you need the right infrastructure. IT services can be a valuable source of insights into how your organization can create a modern workplace environment.

The right provider can help you update your IT infrastructure by switching out legacy systems and implementing cloud infrastructure — including helping you address the resulting security concerns.

Software as service (SaaS) platforms come with built-in security features, but they often leave you responsible for establishing things like permissions and access control. Your provider can help you build security strategies for cloud services and integrate new solutions with your core banking system.

2. Meeting customer needs

Customers expect services to be faster and more accessible across industries. If your financial institution wants to stay competitive, it needs to evolve the customer experience.

Managed services can help by taking on a more strategic role, providing guidance on an IT road map that supports technologies to help you:

Use dashboards to track key customer metrics.

Create a better omnichannel experience.

Use customer data to effectively cross-sell and increase wallet share.

Partnering with an effective provider can help you better strategize on how your institution can improve workflows and productivity so that you can deliver the experience your customers expect.

3. Enhancing your cybersecurity

Cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency and severity. Your IT managed security services should be helping your institution keep pace with support for:

Being proactive: In addition to addressing server performance issues, your provider should be proactively looking for indicators of compromise. They should employ 24/7 monitoring that can quickly identify and research any anomalies so that potential compromises can be solved before they escalate.

Staying updated: As AI continues to increase the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, your provider should not only be helping your institution enhance data protection but also adapting its own capabilities. An effective provider has the tools, infrastructure and threat detection in place to help them identify indicators of compromise faster, such as advanced endpoint detection and response and AI-powered threat correlation.

Meeting regulatory expectations: managed IT support with industry specialization can help ensure your institution meets key regulatory priorities in areas including ransomware, operational resilience and incident response. For example, it’s crucial that financial institutions use a provider that can retain security event logs if an incident does occur.

4. Providing crucial talent

For most institutions, establishing 24/7 security operations in-house is neither cost-effective nor viable.

Employing enough staff to provide that level of support requires substantial resources. And attracting and retaining staff can be equally challenging, given the current labor shortages and the relative lack of complexity and challenge financial institutions provide for these roles.

Outsourcing these positions with managed services provides you with the necessary staff and infrastructure without the cost of hiring. They can also help guide your institution’s data security at the executive level with fractional or virtual CISO services.

How Wipfli can help

Wipfli’s managed services go beyond IT operations and compliance to help your financial institution evolve. With industry specialization and deep cybersecurity capability, we can provide your institution with the solutions and strategy it needs to optimize operations and further its growth. We can also work alongside your current provider to augment your existing support.

Contact us today to learn more about how our managed services can transform your institution.

September 18, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-09-18 14:56:122024-09-18 14:56:12How the Right IT Managed Security Services Provider Can Help You Optimize and Grow
News, Resources

5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your MSP Services

Sponsored content by Wipfli, a WBA Silver Associate Member

By Jeff Olejnik and Tom Wojcinski 

Your managed services provider (MSP) may be responsive in helping you manage your servers and meet basic compliance needs — but is that enough?  

Financial institutions face new cybersecurity and IT considerations as they adopt the latest innovations for optimizing operations and enhancing customer experience. And the cybersecurity threat landscape continues evolving as AI brings new efficiencies to both businesses and threat actors.  

If your MSP isn’t helping meet your changing IT needs, it may limit your growth. Switch to an MSP that can join you as a strategic partner — not just a service provider — helping you go beyond the basics to transform your institution.  

Here are five signs you’ve outgrown your MSP services:  

1. They’re not industry specialized 

Many MSPs work with multiple industries, meaning they often lack knowledge of the unique operations and regulatory requirements of financial institutions.  

When you work with an MSP that offers industry-specialized services, you’re working with people who have a deeper understanding of your technology requirements and the industry challenges you’re likely to face. They understand the business applications and can help you maximize availability. And they can apply their experience in helping other financial institutions to your obstacles.  

2. They’re not helping you meet regulatory priorities 

The threat landscape has changed since the FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool was last updated in May 2017, and regulatory priorities reflect that.  

Regulators are now inspecting for the additional priorities outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024 Bank Supervision Operating Plan. This plan highlights critical areas such as data recovery, access controls and operational resilience.  

Your MSP should not only be aware of these regulatory priorities but also help you update your security controls to satisfy regulators.   

3.  They don’t help guide your digital strategy 

With the rapid pace of technological change, modernizing business is a key concern across industries. 

For financial institutions, modernizing often involves integrating your core banking systems with new customer relationship management and analytics systems. And that process requires support for more than just your servers.  

Your MSP should be able to help you develop an IT road map, guiding you in creating a technology infrastructure that supports your organization’s strategic vision, identifying potential challenges and providing recommendations. They should also take a proactive role in helping you identify ways to use technology to improve workflows, productivity and customer experience — all while helping ensure your IT strategy and strategic plan stay aligned.  

4. They lack scalability 

Many MSPs operate as smaller organizations with limited staff. That means that as your organization grows, it may not be able to scale with you.  

Find a provider capable of supporting your future growth, not just fixing and patching your servers. You need an organization with the bench strength to support you as your cybersecurity needs and IT infrastructure evolve.  

5. They’re not meeting your security needs 

The introduction of innovations such as AI and cloud services has changed the threat landscape significantly.  

To effectively secure your cloud environment, your institution needs to work with a provider who can offer design and engineering support for critical safeguards, such as access control, identity management and security configurations. And now that threat actors are using AI to increase the frequency and sophistication of attacks, you’ll need an MSP capable of responding.  

Partner with an MSP that maintains connections with different threat intelligence sources and understands the latest threats on a global scale — especially those impacting financial institutions. MSPs that work with organizations like FS-ISAC are better equipped to apply their knowledge of the latest threats to protect your institution.  

How Wipfli can help  

Wipfli’s managed services team brings deep industry experience to support your financial institution’s IT needs. We understand your critical industry, operational and regulatory concerns, and we’re ready to provide proactive guidance to help you address them.  

Contact us today to learn more about how our MSP services can do more to further your growth.  

July 30, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-07-30 07:35:482024-07-30 08:20:505 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your MSP Services
Member News, News

Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

After transitioning from near-zero rates to one of the fastest rate-hiking cycles we’ve ever seen, financial institutions are now in the position of waiting for rates to fall. As we wait for the Fed’s next move, it’s important for management teams to understand how lower rates will impact their institutions’ income statements and take steps to better position themselves for the lower-rate environment likely to come. 

 Many financial institutions funding their balance sheet short 

First, let’s consider where we are now. Federal and consumer spending have been driving economic growth, despite the higher interest rates. This growth, in turn, has the markets thinking the Fed will delay rate cuts until later this year or possibly into 2025. 

Funding short has not yet worked out, with funding continuing to roll at nearly the highest cost on the curve. Coupled with continued deposit migration within the bank, cost of funds is continuing to rise at many institutions. 

Managing expectations for rate cuts 

To manage margin this year, one question to ask is if your institution will need to offer the highest interest rate in the market for deposits or one that’s “just close enough” to that rate to keep existing customers. We find that, if the rates are close enough, the incumbent tends to win because consumers don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving their money. This strategy may allow your institution to manage the upward pressure in cost of funds (COF). Additionally, management teams may consider what realistic reprieve in COF may come from the first few Fed cuts. Many institutions have not raised non-maturity account rates in line with non-bank alternatives (ex. money market mutual funds). Consequently, community banks may be reluctant to reduce rates on these accounts, as they will still be below alternate funding costs. 

 Investment portfolio conundrum 

Some institutions may have decided that they’re not taking any risk by accumulating cash. However, we challenge that thought: If the Fed starts cutting rates and your institution doesn’t get a meaningful and immediate COF improvement, your institution’s earnings on that cash are going to drop immediately. And so, institutions that are asset-sensitive or holding cash today need to consider the immediate margin compression that could occur once the Fed starts cutting rates. In the meantime, locking into investments closer to cash rates today can help hold yield until the COF starts to decline. A balanced investment strategy could allow your institution to add a mix of securities that average a yield close to Fed Funds with an allocation to call-protected assets. We urge management teams to consider the trade-off of investing in only the highest yield options compared to the potential benefits of adding assets with call protection that could result in an unrealized gain when the Fed lowers rates.  

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that repeating the past is unlikely, but it’s still essential to learn from it. Understanding the choices that your institution made, and then making informed decisions is how your institution can and will put its best foot forward.  

Kent Musbach is a senior vice president and Marc Gall is a senior vice president and asset/liability strategist for BOK Financial Capital Markets. 

Contact Information 

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes. 

bokfinancial.com/institutions 

Disclosure 

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.  

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE 

 

July 17, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-07-17 08:17:342024-07-17 09:25:54Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment
Member News

Enroll in an UnitedHealthcare Association Health Plan and Save

Sponsored content by UnitedHealthcare, a WBA Associate Member

Now’s the time to start thinking about your employee benefits package and how an Associated Health Plan (AHP), serviced by UnitedHealthcare, could help you save. Gain similar purchasing power advantages and options that larger employers receive when you join other Wisconsin banks by enrolling in our AHP.

Through your enrollment in an AHP, your bargaining position is strengthened to help you obtain more favorable rates. A variety of flexible plan options are available to help balance costs and your administrative costs can be reduced through economies of scale.

And your employees will benefit too. They’ll have access to UnitedHealthcare’s provider network – the largest in Wisconsin – resulting in less disruption and a smoother transition. Wellness programs designed to motivate healthier habits and cost estimator tools to assist with making more informed care choices will help your employees with their overall health and budgetary goals.

The advantages don’t stop there. If you’re looking to add vision to your employee benefits package, UnitedHealthcare has you covered. Like their medical network, UnitedHealthcare has one of the nation’s largest vision networks. That means your employees will have the freedom to visit their favorite provider or retailer for vision services and eyewear needs. Alliances with Warby Parker® and GlassesUSA.com are included.

Learn more by visiting uhc.com/wba.

June 20, 2022/by Cassandra Krause
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Cassandra Krause https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Cassandra Krause2022-06-20 16:33:212022-06-20 16:42:03Enroll in an UnitedHealthcare Association Health Plan and Save
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