Updates

The Markets (as of market close May 23, 2025)

Stocks tumbled last week as traders contemplated the potential impact of new legislation and increased trade tensions following President Trump’s threat of new tariffs against the European Union and Apple. While stocks declined, long-term bond yields rose, with 10-year Treasuries reaching a three-month high of 4.64% last Thursday before settling at 4.51% by the end […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 16, 2025)

Wall Street enjoyed one of its best weeks in quite some time as stocks moved higher by the close of trading last Friday. Each of the benchmark indexes posted solid weekly gains on the heels of easing U.S.-China trade tensions. The 90-day tariff truce helped drive the S&P 500 back into positive territory for the […]

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Infographic: The Cost of Building a New Home in the U.S.

This infographic breaks down the average cost of building a new single-family home in the United States in 2024 by stages of construction. The data is based on a survey of 4,000 U.S. home builders by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Home construction breakdown: what costs the most? Building a new home is […]

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The Trust Company of Kansas is Hiring

We are excited to share a new career opportunity opening at The Trust Company of Kansas. Interested in joining our team? Qualified candidates may send a resume and letter to mlinsner@tckansas.com. Trust Administrator Job Summary: Assist one or more Account Officers with the day-to-day administration of trust clientrelationships and new business development. Must be interested […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 9, 2025)

Stocks closed mostly lower last week as investors looked ahead to trade negotiations between the United States and China over the weekend. Despite the announcement of a trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom, investors remained unsure of the extent of that deal and, more particularly, whether any meaningful progress would be […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 2, 2025)

Wall Street enjoyed another solid week of gains on the heels of some strong corporate earnings data, a better-than-expected jobs report, and more signs that the White House and China may be open to trade talks. By the close of trading last Friday, the Dow had posted 10 straight sessions of gains, while the S&P […]

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Borrowers in Default on Federal Student Loans Face Imminent Collection Efforts

On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting May 5, 2025. The federal government hasn’t collected on defaulted loans since March 2020. Here is some background followed by answers to questions about the new policy. A history of payment pauses and court […]

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The Markets (as of market close April 25, 2025)

Wall Street enjoyed a solid week of gains as investors were encouraged by signs of progress in the U.S.-China trade dispute. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here moved higher, driven by gains in AI megacaps and some blue-chip stocks. First-quarter earnings season is in full swing. Of the 180 S&P 500 companies reporting so […]

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REAL ID Deadline Fast Approaching

After years of numerous delays, the REAL ID enforcement deadline is scheduled for May 7, 2025.1 What is a REAL ID? A REAL ID is a type of enhanced identification card that is signified by a star marking in the upper top portion of the card. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, […]

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The Markets (as of market close April 17, 2025)

Stocks ended an abbreviated week of trading with mixed results as the U.S. markets closed a day early in observance of Good Friday. Throughout the week, investors weighed trade talks, interest rate uncertainty, and concerns of a global economic retreat. Big tech shares began the week on a positive note as investors hoped a temporary […]

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