Apr 6, 2023

A month after SVB, are banks lending?

Banks appear to be pulling back on making loans. Plus, what we can learn from the track record of the secretary of labor nominee.

Segments From this episode

Banks in Turmoil

A month after liquidity shock, how's banks' lending business looking?

by Justin Ho

Apr 6, 2023

A Dallas Fed survey found signs that banks are pulling back on loans. High rates may also be dampening interest among borrowers.

Deposits have been falling, and banks are "nervous about their own liquidity," says Mayra Rodriguez Valladares of MRV Associates.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

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Wage increases seem to be slowing after more than a year of strong gains

by Mitchell Hartman

Apr 6, 2023

That's good news for in the fight against inflation, as long as consumers don't cut spending so much that the economy tips into recession.

Lower-wage workers, including those in the service industry, have seen some of the strongest wage gains in recent years.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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How labor nominee's worker advocacy history informs her work today

by Kimberly Adams and Nicholas Guiang

Apr 6, 2023

A landmark sweatshop case and immigrant parents helped inspire Julie Su's efforts for vulnerable workers, a 19th reporter says.

Julie Su goes before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on April 20.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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What's driving car prices ever higher?

by Kristin Schwab

Apr 6, 2023

The new entry-level price for a new vehicle is $25,000, auto research site Edmunds says.

Ford is one automaker that has moved its focus from smaller, more affordable sedans to trucks and SUVs.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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After federal investment, supply chain jams and labor shortages still hinder tribal broadband access

by Savannah Maher

Apr 6, 2023

In Oklahoma's Osage Nation, the construction of a 200-mile fiber network is underway, but hurdles abound.

To boost broadband access, tribal nations must compete with states that are also flush with federal funds to purchase the same supplies.

trumzz/Getty Images

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Christmas orders already?

Easter is a key season for toy retailers, and the NPD group predicts Easter spending in this category could reach several billion dollars. Irene Kesselman, owner of Ali Cat Toys in Carrboro, North Carolina, describes what she’s seeing.

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Music from the episode

Bambu Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7

Nobody Speak DJ Shado, Run The Jewels

Peel Back Ensemble Entendu

Bassackwards Kurt Vile

That's Inside of Me Eddie Current Suppression Ring

1977 Ana Tijoux

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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