Dallas, TX (March 25, 2025) |
ALM First's Financial Institute commenced yesterday at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, welcoming a record 225 financial professionals with an Economic Overview tailored to financial institutions. Jason Haley, ALM First's Chief Investment Officer, addressed critical market themes impacting depositories in 2025.
From uncertainty surrounding tariffs to inflation levels and pockets of credit risk, depositories are facing an evolving set of challenges this year. The fundamentals for the economy are still sound, but negative trends in sentiment could slow spending, and choppiness is anticipated ahead.
“Everyone’s waiting on more clarity,” says Haley. “If the noise subsides and the focus shifts back to tailwinds, like potential tax reductions and deregulation, consumer and corporate investment could resume.”
While the Fed remains in wait and see mode, Haley reminded the audience that uncertainty means higher volatility and depositories will need to stay disciplined with pricing and use risk management tools, like hedging, where needed.
Other general sessions included Depository Trends & Regulatory Priorities along with an open forum discussion, Navigating What Lies Ahead, with ALM First’s entire executive management team sharing insights from the firm’s 30-years of industry service, before attendees broke off into their chosen learning tracks. The learning tracks, Board, Fundamental, and Funds Management, are customized to meet the knowledge level of attendees and best serve their role within the institution.
This year's in-person event provides continuing education, financial analyst training, the latest market trends, and industry updates to ensure everyone involved in managing or monitoring the balance sheet remains current with timely insights designed to have a direct impact on the success of their financial institution.
More information about future ALM First educational opportunities, including the 2025 Derivatives Symposium (June 16-17 in Dallas) and ongoing webinar series, may be found at www.almfirst.com.
