Thought Leadership Archive

Common Cents Blog

Foreign Investments Seem So… Foreign

This week, our Investment Committee spent a fair amount of time discussing the longer-term future of the global economy and investment markets. The primary question on the table was whether the United States’ economy will be…

Common Cents Blog

What’s the Fed to Do?

This week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the monetary policy making arm of the Federal Reserve, met and didn’t do anything. Well, I suppose the members of the committee discussed and overanalyzed any number of…

Special Reports

A Perfect Storm

In a lending landscape clouded by uncertainty, Oakworth’s Chief Economist John Norris is focused on one thing: pricing risk.As geopolitical tensions rise and interest rates remain elevated, small-business owners face mounting challenges in securing affordable credit.…

Financial Literacy

More Than a Move-In Checklist for College

Sending a child off to college is an exciting milestone — for both students and parents. While you’re busy packing dorm essentials and setting up class schedules, don’t overlook some critical financial and legal preparations. Taking…

Trading Perspectives Podcast

The Sky Is Falling! Or Is It?

Listen to the full episode here.  General Overview Conversation Summary: John and Sam discuss the recent announcement by the Bureau of Economic Analysis that the US economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025.…