Oakworth in the Community

April 19, 2018, by Lindsey Owens Krausen

On March 13th 2018, Oakworth Capital Bank associate, Sarah Singleton, led a group of Oakworth team members in assisting the Birmingham Education Foundation facilitate a program called Educate Local. The Birmingham Education Foundation, a non-profit 501c3, is dedicated to increasing the number of students in the Birmingham City school system that graduate from college and are career ready upon high school graduation. Educate Local, an interlocking web of direct-programming for high school students, is focused on...

Common Cents for Friday the 13th (April 2018)

April 13, 2018, by John Norris

Yesterday, a co-worker told me they really like my weekly newsletter. They complimented me on my alleged ability to make boring economic commentary slightly less boring (at least I think they meant it as a compliment). However, they also told me the following: “I don’t read it every week like I did in the past…it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with how I now consume news. I like to listen...

Dear John

April 12, 2018, by John Norris

Chief Economist, John Norris, answers the most commonly asked questions of the first quarter of the year. Q: Dear John, President Trump has recently been publicly attacking Amazon. What does this mean for the company? What could it mean for the economy? A: Amazon is the posterchild for the nation’s changing retail landscape, but it is unfair to blame it for the problems at the post office and the so-called retail apocalypse. Just about every...

1st Quarter Economic Update from John Norris

April 12, 2018, by John Norris

The roller coaster ride in the markets we predicted for 2017 finally happened during the 1st Quarter of 2018. So which is the more appropriate? The easy money of January or the tribulations of February and March? What if the answer is neither? As I have told just about anyone who will listen, there is nothing in the economic data, tea leaves, or crystal ball to suggest a noticeable slowdown in the economy is imminent....

Common Cents for April 6th, 2018

April 6, 2018, by John Norris

Section I Although the stock market has been a veritable roller coaster ride this week, interest rates and gold really haven’t done much of anything substantial. Oh sure, a few basis points here and a couple of dollars there, but nothing I would call out of the ordinary. This is significant, because if hell really were coming to dinner like a lot of people think, so-called safety assets would be performing a lot differently. Two...

Oakworth Capital Bank Celebrates 10 Years of Growth with Move to Shades Creek

April 6, 2018, by Lindsey Owens Krausen

Oakworth Capital Bank recently moved its headquarters to 850 Shades Creek Parkway. The move marks 10 years of successful operations. To celebrate, Oakworth held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new building in conjunction with an open-house for clients and guests to tour the building. Oakworth was founded on March 30, 2008 by financial industry veterans who believed in redefining financial services. [caption id="attachment_3317" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Oakworth Capital Bank Ribbon Cutting Ceremony[/caption] “Ten years...

Common Cents for March 30, 2018 (I hope it is Common Sense)

March 26, 2018, by John Norris

During the Q & A session of my public speaking engagements, I have been known to be the one asking the questions. There is one in particular I like: “what was the primary cause of the financial meltdown in 2008?” As you might imagine, I hear/get all kinds of responses, usually of the low-hanging fruit variety: predatory lending practices, Wall Street greed, Main Street stupidity, the ratings organizations not doing their jobs, Fannie Mae and...

The Oakworth Commitment

March 23, 2018, by Lindsey Owens Krausen

Oakworth began operation at the beginning of the Great Recession as interest rates were falling. During that period of falling rates, we were mindful that our clients count on us to pay competitive interest rates on their deposits. We lowered deposit rates at the slowest possible pace while maintaining a prudent approach to managing our business. As I am sure you are aware, interest rates are rising as a result of the Federal Reserve raising...

Travel Tips

March 19, 2018, by Lindsey Owens Krausen

Trent Green is our special guest giving our clients some great tips for spring and summer travel. Trent is Oakworth's Managing Director, Treasury Management. Travel Tips Ah, Spring time…..warmer temps, pollen in the air and the beginning of travel season. Every year, March and April kick off an extended travel season for many of our clients. Whether that travel sends you to the beach, the lake, the mountains, the islands or overseas, the one constant...

Common Cents for March 16, 2018

March 16, 2018, by John Norris

Section I Does anyone really like surprises? By that, I mean are there really people who want to wake up without any clue as to what the day might bring? The source of their next meal? Where they will sleep in the evening? With whom they will interact? The environment in which they will live? Is anyone so spontaneous, living so in the moment, they eschew all form of structure? To the point where any...