Blogs

Banking partners you can count on to help you achieve growth goals Built-in economic advantages in West Texas — and new voter-approved help for Texas Tech University – will help the region weather economic challenges in the coming year as it has in the past, said James Arnold, president and CEO of First Bank & Trust, a division of HTLF Bank. MARKET ADVANTAGES As President and CEO of First Bank & Trust, a division of HTLF Bank, James Arnold brings more than 20 years of West Texas banking experience with a broad knowledge of the economic outlook and local economies. His thoughts on the 2024...

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...

Wondering what your aging accounts receivable report can reveal? Uncover five pivotal insights to gain a deeper understanding of your financial landscape. Before we dive into how you can use your aging AR report, let’s establish what it is and what it can tell you about your company. An aging accounts receivable report is a business report that shows customer payment status against current invoices. As a management tool, it’ll tell you when specific customers become credit risks and if your company should continue the relationship. The typical AR report has columns broken into 30-day segments...

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve witnessed a revitalization in American industrial policy. The economic ripples of the pandemic highlighted the precarious nature of long-spread supply chains and outsourced labor; now having internalized these lessons, many firms are re- or nearshoring their operations instead. Accordingly, experts may believe US manufacturing is poised for growth in the coming years as jobs come back home. But the post-pandemic era isn’t the only thing paving the way toward growth. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technology have allowed...

Streamlining payments involves refining the management of money flowing in and out of your business. It could include reassessing your payment strategy or even upgrading your treasury management solutions. When done effectively, optimizing your payment processes may improve customer experiences, enhance security, optimize cash flow, and reduce costs. This guide walks you through how to optimize your payment processes, beginning with assessing your current system. We also look at ways you can spot financial inefficiencies in your operations. Finally, we provide an overview of how you can...