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Banking partners you can count on to help you achieve growth goals Wisconsin’s strong manufacturing economy is expected to remain solid in 2024 as businesses focus on increasing margins that took a hit during COVID and the following years. Starting in 2022 and throughout 2023, there was a pullback of capital investment. The level of expansion, new equipment, and growth investments was tepid. While companies, post-Covid, are focused on driving up their returns from the investments they made in 2021 and 2022, that should not hold back manufacturing in 2024. “We’re also seeing a normalization of...

Economic hurdles are still a major factor for businesses in 2024. Many are recovering from the Great Resignation and employee retention has never been more important for resiliency. On the other hand, many businesses are seeking new ways to streamline cash flow, increase operational efficiency, and retain clients. After conducting compelling research and interviews with subject matter experts, Financial Feed covers valuable insights on the economy, business strategies, and more. In it, you’ll discover: Employee retention strategies that impact the bottom line Business strategies for resiliency...

The potentially transformative capabilities of advanced AI, automation, and robotics technology are ushering in a new era for manufacturing. Yet, at the same time, extracting value from the digital transformation is more complicated than it might seem. Case in point—an overwhelming 88% of companies report difficulties measuring value from technological investments. The same report found that 85% of companies struggle to simultaneously update operating models to accommodate their new visions and cover the upfront investment costs for new technology. These challenges are further compounded for...

Between costs like rent, inventory, and payroll, it can be hard for businesses to cover expenses. Even if you have enough cash on hand to fulfill your obligations, an unexpected cost could derail your operation. Could a business credit card help? High interest rates might make you hesitant to open up a credit card for your business; however, obtaining a business card can be advantageous in certain circumstances. But before determining if this financial tool is right for your business, you first need to know its ins and outs. Why Should a Small Business Have a Credit Card? The idea of charging...

Quarterly Market Review: Q4 2023 By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Giri Krishnan, Senior Portfolio Manager The “Soft-Landing” Has Become the Default Scenario The Federal Reserve signaled that it is likely done with rate hikes. The markets responded favorably, nearly doubling the annual return on the S&P 500. This signaling also moved the U.S. Aggregate Bond market from being in the red to having a decisively positive year. The pivot in policymakers’ outlook was somewhat of a surprise given that the data-informed policy has not improved nearly as much as their stance has changed. While...