This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes The January 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.5% from December 2024, pushing the 12-month inflation rate to 3.0% . This continued rise in inflation presents distinct challenges for Black and minority-owned businesses, particularly in key industries such as retail, construction, transportation, and food services. Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes Sector-Specific Impacts on Minority Businesses 1. Retail & Consumer Goods (Black and Hispanic-Owned Businesses) Key Data: The index for food at home rose 0.5% , while food away from home increased 0.2% . Apparel prices declined 1.4% , and household furnishings dropped 0.2% . Impact: Minority-owned grocery stores and restaurants face higher procurement costs. Retail businesses may see reduced demand due to price-sensitive consumers adjusting spending. Strategy: B...

We have been tracking Asian Banks for some time. See: Bullish on Asian Banks Originally posted on the Street Insight section of thestreet.com 2/28/2006 4:35 PM EST and Still Bullish on Asian Banks Recently, there has been renewed interest in this sector. We commented for an article by S&P analysts Kelsey Bartlett and Carolyn Duren posted Monday, 02 July 2018 11:52 AM ET, some of which is reproduced below: Deals are heating up among Asian-American designated banks, with two of the nation’s prominent institutions announcing deals since April. In its second deal since 2013, Hanmi Financial Corp. is acquiring Houston-based SWNB Bancorp Inc. Meanwhile, RBB Bancorp is making a play for Brooklyn, N.Y.-based First American International Corp. — its third deal since 2013. The two Los Angeles-based banks remain interested in diving into new markets with high populations of Asian Americans, management said. Hanmi expects the combined entity to have $5.7 billion in total assets, whil...