3 Key News Events to Follow — and How They Could Impact Your Business
Learn how to navigate uncertainty with these three themes top of mind.
Key takeaways:
- The news today can be overwhelming — but focusing on the topics with the most meaningful impact on your business can help you strategize and plan.
- Although the Fed held rates at their March 2025 meeting, businesses are still feeling the impact of last year’s rate cuts.
- The looming threat of tariffs has prompted many businesses to rethink their supply chains in order to boost resilience and drive business success.
Keeping up with the news in today’s turbulent economic climate can feel like a full-time job in itself. If you’re struggling to follow the latest updates and run your business, you’re not alone.
While you may not have the option to tune out from business news, focusing on the topics that most meaningfully impact your business can help you plan your best next steps.
Here are three key issues affecting companies today — plus, resources to help you navigate them and lead your business to success.
The Fed holds interest rates, citing economic uncertainty
After a series of rate cuts in 2024, the Fed announced on Wednesday, March 19, that they’d be keeping rates where they are for the time-being. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cited economic uncertainty and the possibility of new tariffs (more on that in a moment) as key factors influencing the Fed’s decision, since tariffs could contribute to inflation.
Only time will tell how this announcement ends up impacting the economy in the short- and long-term. However, the more information leaders have, the more they’re able to make strategic decisions for their business.
Learn how last year’s rate cuts impact businesses, and the steps you can take to set yourself up for success in our guide:
Pro tip: Rate cuts continue to impact your personal finance as well.
Learn more:
Fluctuating supply costs create supply chain uncertainty
Between the looming threat of tariffs, key supply and ingredient shortages — like the skyrocketing price of eggs — many businesses are concerned with boosting resilience and managing costs across their supply chain.
While each business is unique, companies with a high level of visibility across their supply chain are most likely to have the data-driven insights they need to succeed. That means this may be a good time to consider investing in technology that can help optimize your supply chain.
In addition, businesses can set themselves up for success by learning the ins and outs of tariffs — including how they work, who pays them, and which materials may be affected.
Dynamic commercial real estate markets continue to impact businesses
Real estate, particularly commercial real estate, has seen a whirlwind of changes over the past few years. Today, industrial and retail markets continue to hold steady — and demand for office space is on the rise. That’s good news for landlords and developers, but may increase costs on tenants, adding to business’ financial pressures.
At the same time, both commercial and residential real estate markets continue to feel the long-term effects of last year’s rate cuts — but future rate environments, and their impact on real estate, remains unclear.
Get support reaching your business goals
Whether you’re planning a strategic investment, looking to strengthen your cash flow or simply want a trusted advisor to help manage your business finances, our team of business banking experts is here to help.
From helping you craft a financial plan that outlines your best next steps to connecting you to the financial solutions you need to succeed, we’re here to help you turn your vision into reality.
Talk to your relationship manager to learn more, or find a location near you to get the support you need.
