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March 2023 Market Insights
Published: 03/31/2023
Recent economic data has been somewhat confusing and paints a mixed picture of the domestic economy. The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew, in real terms, at an annualized rate of 2.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022. That represents a deceleration from a 3.2% increase in the prior quarter (3Q). Despite this slowdown, inflation pressures remain strong. The Personal Consumption Price index, the Federal Reserve preferred inflation measurement, rose 0.6% in January (the most recent measure), which means inflation accelerated from a 0.2% increase in December. The core PCE rate, which excludes volatile food and energy, rose by 0.6% in January.
![Blake D. Fischer Becomes Newest Addition to Private Banking Team Blake D. Fischer Becomes Newest Addition to Private Banking Team](https://cdn.firstbranchcms.com/kcms-structure/6fce24be-c0ec-4d2a-91ab-34c428738831/postImage.jpeg)
Blake D. Fischer Becomes Newest Addition to Private Banking Team
Published: 10/07/2022
Thomas Prohaska, chairman and chief executive officer of Idaho Trust Bank, has announced hiring Blake D. Fischer as a private banker.