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Key Economic Considerations For 2020

China trade, interest rate concerns make profitable risk management more critical.

As TCU’s investment advisor, the experts at ALM First regularly share their insights on the latest market trends and economic data with current and prospective investors. This special edition includes key takeaways presented by Jason Haley, managing director of ALM First’s Investment Management Group, during ALM First’s Financial Forum, which was held Sept. 23-25 in San Antonio, TX.

That Escalated Quickly

After an extremely volatile August driven by trade concerns, markets remain most sensitive to U.S.-China trade tensions. Even if a comprehensive trade deal is reached in the near term, will it be too late for the global economy to avoid recession? Thatis a key question as we evaluate current economic themes. The current expansion is now the longest in modern history with a strong labor market, higher wage growth, and Core CPI at a current cycle high. However, trade tensions continue to presentgreat uncertainty for the global economy. Late-cycle symptoms have also emerged recently with downward revisions to estimates of economic growth, corporate profits, and employment growth.

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A Divided Fed

Another question looming over the markets is whether the Fed will commit to a new easing cycle and, if so, will negative interest rates in the U.S. become a reality? Officials have said they will do what it takes to support the current expansion. However,while Hawks focus on the domestic economy (low unemployment, strong payroll growth, and solid consumption), Doves are focused on global risks, particularly trade and manufacturing.

Fed leaders are under pressure from external sources, both market and political, to provide additional stimulus. The European Central Bank has pushed the deposit rate more negative and European banks are trying to adjust to the extraordinary environment.Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan said negative rates in the U.S. are only a matter of time. However, current Fed leaders have been more critical of negative rates as a monetary policy tool.

Implications for Credit Unions

ALM First advised Financial Forum attendees to avoid speculation and reactionary decisions. Several opportunities, along with potential risks, were also noted. In general, financial institutions can expect higher mortgage origination. While this leadsto more reinvestment risk, it also presents an opportunity to use excess capital to leverage current mortgage production on a hedged basis at historically wide, risk-adjusted spreads.

Downward pressure on net interest margins and deposit franchise values will make profitable risk management more critical as it relates to asset pricing, funding mix, and liquidity management. Credit unions should also place greater focus on non‐interestitems (fees, efficiency ratios, etc.).

The Latest TCU Performance

Below is a recap of recent performance for both TCU funds through the end of September 2019.

Ultra-Short Duration Short Duration
30-Day Distribution Rate 2.37% 2.51%
1-mo. Total Return 0.19% -0.10%
Benchmark 1-mo. Total Return 0.17% -0.13%
YTD Total Return 1.99% 4.09%
NAV January 2019 $9.38 $9.54
NAV September 2019 $9.38 $9.72

* The Yields for the Ultra-Short and Short Duration Portfolios reflect the 30-day average annual distribution rate.
For questions please call the TCU Group at 1-800-237-5678.

Contact us today to learn more about how the TCU portfolios may fit within your credit union’s overall investment portfolio. More detailed performance information, including cumulative total returns and portfolio holdings may be found online at www.trustcu.com

This article is sponsored by a recognized solutions provider in the credit union industry. Callahan & Associates does not endorse vendors or the solutions they offer, and the views and opinions offered here might not reflect those of Callahan. If you are interested in contributing an article on CreditUnions.com, please contact the Callahan team at ads@creditunions.com or 1-800-446-7453.
October 21, 2019

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