Regional News

Fed Beige Book; Loan Demand Remaining ‘Tepid’ For November

Posted November 30, 2023 The Federal Reserve Board released its latest Beige Book report which shows Kansas City and the Tenth District’s economic activity declining slightly with loan demand remaining “tepid” across banks in the district. The Beige Book—a report… more

WSU Chosen to Host High-Speed Internet Facility for Kansas

Posted November 29, 2023 Wichita State University has been chosen to implement the state’s first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) providing fast and secure internet across the campus and greater Kansas. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement as well as… more

Saint Luke’s and BJC Health to Officially Integrate for The New Year

Posted November 29, 2023 Saint Luke’s Health System and BJC Health System will officially combine on Jan. 1, the health systems announced Wednesday. The merger will create a 28-hospital system that spans across Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. Saint Luke’s will… more

A New Barn in Town, American Royal Celebrates Barn Raising

Posted November 28, 2023 Updated November 29, 2023 The American Royal celebrated a barn-raising ceremony for its new facility in Kansas City, KS that will act as a new beacon for education in food and agriculture. The new home of… more

Kansas Judicial Branch to Restore Online Filing Systems

Posted November 28, 2023 Following a cyber security attack on the Kansas Supreme Court in October, state officials say the court system will be back online in phases. The Kansas Supreme Court operated paper-only after the October 12 cyber attack,… more

Has the Fed Orchestrated a Soft Landing?

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 The capital markets head into a post-FOMC meeting period with increasing confidence that the Fed has reached its terminal policy rate. Market developments painted a picture of a much cooler economy, slightly less-alarming Treasury borrowing needs, and… more

Take Control of Payments Processes and Curb Fraud Vulnerabilities

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 Despite growing attacks and attempts on digital payments —ACH debits and credits, wires, virtual cards, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrency—the payments most vulnerable to fraud continue to be a more traditional method of payment: checks.  The Association for… more

The Stars Align for Kansas City

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 The pressures on the middle-class American lifestyle—a long-term trend that has been building over the past few decades—accelerated dramatically since 2020 and escalated further in 2022 as inflation skyrocketed. Steep increases in residential real-estate prices, coupled with… more

New Measures to Protect Pregnant Workers

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 Last December, President Biden signed into law a measure that has significant effects on companies with at least 15 employees. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants’ and employees’ known… more

Q&A . . . With Ed Elder

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 Q: We’ve seen some indicators of things tapering off with activity in the industrial space; what’s your take on where the sector is headed? A: It has (tapered) and for three, maybe four reasons. Interest rates being… more