Banking & Finance

Average US Rate On 30-year Mortgage Eases to 6.87%, Fourth Straight Weekly Decline
The average rate fell to 6.87% from 6.89% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, it averaged 6.77%.
by Associated Press -
Trump Says He Has Directed US Treasury to Stop Minting New Pennies, Citing Rising Cost
The U.S. Mint reported losing $85.3 million in the 2024 fiscal year that ended in September on the nearly 3.2 billion pennies it produced. Every penny cost nearly $0.037 — up from $0.031 the year before. read more >
by Associated Press -
Powell Says Fed ‘Well Positioned’ for ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ That Lie Ahead
The Fed Chair also said the central bank has launched a second review of its policy strategies and its communications tools. read more >
by Associated Press -
Encore Bank Hires Eric Movassaghi as CFO
He joins the bank from First National Bank of Louisiana, a Lafayette-based lender where he held the same title. read more >
Jim Youngblood Named CEO of McGehee Bank
Youngblood previously served as the company's executive vice president, chief operating officer and CFO, as well as general counsel and corporate secretary. read more >
State Tax Revenue Falls 5% in January
Net available general revenue totaled $634.2 million, down $33.1 million from last year. read more >
Arvest Acquires Naming Rights to Tulsa Convention Center
The city-owned venue with more than 275,000 SF of event space will be known as the Arvest Convention Center. read more >
Arvest Opens Its First Modular Branch in Arkansas
The 832-SF prefabricated facility was built off-site and transported to its location via flatbed trailer. read more >
US Economy Grows Solid 2.3% in Q4, 2.8% for Full Year of 2024
Consumer spending in the fourth quarter grew at a 4.2% pace, fastest since January-March 2023 and up from 3.7% in July-September last year. read more >
by Associated Press -
Fed Hold Rates Steady, Sees Inflation as ‘Elevated,’ as Powell Declines Comment on Trump
In a statement, the Fed said the job market is “solid,” and noted that the unemployment rate “has stabilized at a low level in recent months.” read more >
by Associated Press -
Federal Reserve Expected to Stand Pat On Rates Even as Trump Demands Cuts
The Fed's two-day meeting that ends Wednesday may be uneventful, it nevertheless kicks off what is likely to be a turbulent year for the central bank. read more >
by Associated Press -
St. Louis Fed Little Rock Branch Announces Changes to Board of Directors
The moves include the election of a new board chair. read more >
Arkansas Flexes Regulatory Power With Enforcement Actions Against Financial Giants
The Arkansas Securities Department kicked off 2025 with four major national enforcement actions totaling more than $200 million in settlements. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
White River Bancshares Reports Big Jump in Q4 Profit
The holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas and Banco Sí said loan growth and higher asset yields more than offset a modest increase in funding costs. read more >
Stone Bank Marks Opening of New Headquarters in Little Rock
The bank held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a year-long, $8 million remodeling of the three-story, 39,000-SF building. read more >
Tyler Spoon Named Community President for Bank of Fayetteville
The Bank of Fayetteville hired the former Major League Baseball player as a commercial loan officer in October 2023. read more >
Trump Highlights Partnership Investing $500B In AI
The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas. read more >
by Associated Press -
Simmons Reports Soaring Q4 Profits, Closure of 12 Branches
Simmons reportedly closed branches in all major Texas markets and completely exited San Antonio and Austin. read more >
Stephens Commits $250K Annually to Red Cross Disaster Responder Program
The pledge aims to help the nonprofit quickly mobilize resources and provide assistance to those affected by disasters in the U.S. read more >
Bitcoin Soars Past $109,000 Ahead of Possible Early Action On Crypto By Trump
Once a skeptic who said a few years ago that bitcoin “ seems like a scam,” Trump has embraced digital currencies with a convert’s zeal. read more >
by Associated Press -
Bank OZK’s Q4 Profit Rises 4.1% as New Sectors Power Loan Growth
The Little Rock-based lender posted its ninth straight quarter of record profits, with earnings and revenue topping Wall Street forecasts. read more >