Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Leaves Key Rate Unchanged But Sees Two Cuts This Year
The Fed kept its key rate unchanged for the fourth straight meeting Wednesday. read more >
by Associated Press -
Fed Officials Left In Limbo as Tariffs Complicate This Week’s Rate Decision
With the economy potentially pulling in both directions, Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials have underscored in recent remarks that they are prepared to wait for clearer signals on which way to move. read more >
by Associated Press -
Fed Bans Ex-Arvest Employee from Banking After $42K in Customer Funds Misused
Christopher Timos was fired in March. Arvest said it promptly reimbursed affected customers. read more >
Inflation Rose Slightly Last Month as Grocery Prices Ticked Higher
Consumer prices increased 2.4% in May compared with a year ago, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday. That is up from a 2.3% yearly increase in April. read more >
by Associated Press -
![Arvest Bank again led the state with $930 million in loans originating in Arkansas, a 15% increase from 2023. [Google Maps]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot_2025-01-21_at_2.10.11_PM_opt-300x194.jpg)
Arkansas Mortgage Market Rebounds in 2024, With Arvest Leading the Way
Of the 12 mortgage lenders that have shared information with Arkansas Business for the past two years, eight of them saw an increase in overall value of mortgages that originated in Arkansas. Five of those institutions saw gains of 10% or more. read more >
by Marty Cook -
![Sylvia C. Brown, in blue with megaphone, marched at a King Day eventin Hope. A social impact advocate and public policy strategist, she believes a Community Reinvestment Act update would benefit many Arkansans. [Steve lewis]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SylviaBrown4_opt-300x194.jpg)
Federal Lawsuit Delays New Community Reinvestment Act Rules, Leaving Banks in Limbo
Since Jimmy Carter signed it in 1977, the CRA has required federal agencies to review thousands of banks’ efforts to meet the credit needs of their communities, particularly low- and moderate-income areas. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
St. Louis Fed Little Rock Branch Announces Changes to Board of Directors
The moves include the election of a new board chair. read more >
Top Stories of 2024
Interest rates, the top business story of 2023, moderated in 2024, but insurance costs continued to skyrocket, sending last year’s No. 3 story to the top of this year’s annual list. read more >
Risk and Reward (Editorial)
Evolve’s story is a good lesson for our times, and we hope for a strong rebound. read more >
‘No’ to Basel Endgame Capital Requirements (French Hill Commentary)
The Federal Reserve ought to withdraw and rethink its Basel III changes. read more >
by French Hill -
Counting Our Economic Blessings (Editorial)
Midyear is a good time to count the blessings of a strong economy. read more >
A Delicate Dance (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
An influx of federal cash has propped up several industries; now eyes are on the Fed. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Contradictory Conditions (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
Although full of apparent contradictions, the economy is in a good spot midway through 2024. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Municipal Bond Market Surges on Election-year Uncertainty, Fed Inaction
Arkansas’ contribution to the national five-month tally of muni bonds issued this year amounted to about $352 million. A mix of state and local government entities, including school districts, issued 22 muni bond offerings. read more >
by George Waldon -
Arkansas CEOs Feel Economy On Track, but Labor Costs and Hiring Pose Challenges
Executives are also closely watching the November general election, which could shift control of the White House and Congress, potentially flipping the direction of the country on taxation, regulation, infrastructure investment and a whole host of other policies. read more >
Fed Takes Action Against Evolve Bank Over Shortcomings in Risk Management, Consumer Compliance
An enforcement order blocks the West Memphis banking-as-a-service provider from entering into any new fintech partnerships without approval from the Fed. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
US Hiring and Wage Growth Was Stronger Than Expected Last Month
Last month’s sizable job gain suggests that the economy is still growing steadily, propelled by consumer spending on travel, entertainment and other services. read more >
by Associated Press -
Why Do Banks Fail? Arkansas Execs Offer Some Answers
Johnny Allison, CEO of Centennial Bank of Conway, and Randy Dennis, who leads DD&F, share their thoughts. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Bank and Credit Card Network Perspectives Needed on ‘Swipe Fees’ (Letters to the Editor)
Two Arkansas banking executives write in with feedback on the April 8 article, “Swiped Out: Card Fees Cost Arkansas Businesses $600M in 2022” read more >
Another Month of Robust US Job Growth Points to Continued Economic Strength
Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate dipped from 3.9% to 3.8%. read more >
by Associated Press -
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![The second phase of the Little Rock Technology Park included gutting six stories at 421 Main St. in downtown Little Rock to make room for larger, intermediary office spaces. The building, which previously housed the state Department of Education, is on the National Register of Historic Places. [PHOTO provided]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_0566_opt-150x150.jpg)
![Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See: “You’ve got to keep up with growth.” [michael woods]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250609_Nathan_See_009_opt-150x150.jpg)
![Slim Chickens bought this 35,700-SF, four-story office building in Fayetteville in 2023. [Google Maps]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot_2025-06-09_at_1.03.20e280afPM_opt-150x150.jpg)
![Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Hillcrest may be adapted for commercial use. [google maps]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pulaski_Heights_Baptist_Church_opt-150x150.jpg)
![Robert Brech is the executive director of the Office of Professional Conduct, which is the office that oversees the behavior of attorneys. Brech’s office faces a backlog of cases to review. [Karen E. Segrave]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ARBusiness-Robert-Brech-24_opt-150x150.jpg)
