The Bottom Line - Banking on Global Networks
Simplifying international payments with global expertise and local relationships
As supply chains, trade norms, and global markets continue to shift, businesses nationwide are increasingly exploring international options to create greater stability and open new doors for growth.
It’s a smart move, but international banking can be complicated, and often raises this natural question, among others: “Where do we start with global payments, and how do we make sure we’re doing them correctly and cost-effectively?”
We’ve got you covered now that FNBO and Country Club Bank are one organization.
Our Kansas City-area clients now have access to a whole staff of experts and a comprehensive international banking platform, all with the continued support of the local Country Club Bank relationships you’ve grown to trust throughout the years.
International banking made easier and more accessible
Working internationally can be risky and expensive, especially if you’re new to it or just getting started. Payment expectations vary by country. Some vendors require advance payment, and others expect specific documentation or compliance steps. And there’s always the question of how to protect your cash flow and manage expenses.
FNBO’s international banking team helps you navigate these issues with precision and clarity. We explain what’s typical in different markets, highlight the risks to watch for, and work with you to align the right banking tools, whether you’re importing components, exporting finished goods, or providing services abroad. Our experience spans agriculture, manufacturing, technology, engineering, architecture, and services.
No matter the industry, one of the biggest concerns we hear most often is uncertainty around cross-border payments. Where is the money? Why didn’t the supplier receive the full amount? Why did a transfer take days?
By pairing Country Club Bank's familiar relationship-first service with FNBO’s global payments capabilities, we can offer levels of transparency typically found only at large international institutions.
Tools like Swift GPI provide real-time visibility into your payment’s transfer, including timing, fees, and every bank in the chain, so there are fewer surprises and better communications with partners around the world.
The result is not just faster payments, but greater confidence in how you operate and grow internationally.
We work with businesses at every stage and every level of international activity. Some import regularly, while others make only occasional overseas purchases. We even work with those exploring global opportunities for the first time.
There’s no minimum size or transaction volume required. Even a few international payments a year can benefit from improved structure, pricing, and insight.
If you're buying or selling internationally, or just starting to consider it, I encourage you to connect with your Country Club Bank banker to explore our international banking capabilities. We’re here to help you grow and to make global business more manageable, profitable, and productive, every step of the way.
— Michael Salerno, Vice President, International Banking, FNBO, Member FDIC
Economic Insights
Economy steady but shifting: Resilient spending, a cooling labor market, and a patient Fed
The U.S. economy continues to operate in a mixed but mostly stable environment. Though consumer spending remains resilient, labor continues to soften with layoffs continuing, job openings trending down, and hiring plans being trimmed.
Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve has emphasized patience, and the chances for a rate cut at the Fed’s next meeting in December have gone to less than 50%.
After September and October’s initial rate cuts, policymakers signaled they were not in a hurry to ease more aggressively. Now that inflation data is delayed by the shutdown, empirical evidence will not be available immediately.
The Fed is likely watching the labor market more closely than inflation. Over the last several months, wage growth has cooled, and the pace of hiring is slowing. This shift reduces inflationary pressure, but it also reinforces the Fed’s caution. Policymakers say they want more evidence that inflation is sustainably returning to 2% before cutting again. Markets currently expect one additional 25-basis-point cut by early spring.
Latest reported figures show inflation is no longer accelerating, but it isn’t falling either. Shelter costs remain the biggest hurdle to the Fed’s 2% goal. Private housing data suggests easing ahead, but those improvements take months to appear in official inflation reports.
Households are still spending, but more selectively, especially on food. More purchases are shifting toward essentials and value categories, particularly in quick-service restaurants and fast-casual. More people, especially in the 25-35 year age bracket, are pinching pennies and foregoing the $15-$20 food bowls made famous by market chains Cava, Chipotle, and Sweetgreen.
Bottom Line: The U.S. economy remains steady, but momentum is shifting. Consumers are still spending, but more cautiously. And inflation is easing, yet not quickly enough to give the Fed complete confidence.
The challenge for businesses and individuals is to stay flexible. As inflation, employment, and monetary policy change over the coming months, being ready to adjust will matter more than predicting the exact timing of the next rate cut.
— Marcus Scott, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Country Club Trust Company, a division of FNBO.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Country Club Trust Company, a division of First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), or any affiliate thereof. Information provided is for illustrative and discussion purposes only, should not be considered a recommendation, and is subject to change. Some information provided above may be obtained from outside sources believed to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy or completeness.
Please note that investments involve risk, and that past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment products are not insured by FDIC/other federal agencies; are not deposits of/nor guaranteed by the Bank or any of its subsidiaries/affiliates; and may lose value.
Banking on KC Podcast
How Kansas City is preparing to host the world
Kansas City is getting ready to welcome the world. From the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the Big 12 tournaments and a growing slate of significant events, our city’s sports profile has never been higher. On this episode of Banking on KC, we talk with Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, about what it takes to get ready for the global stage. Check out the transcript or listen to the entire conversation here.
Fraud Awareness & Prevention
How to mitigate the rising threat of caller ID spoofing
Scammers are using caller ID spoofing to impersonate trusted institutions, including Country Club Bank, to steal sensitive personal or business information.
These scams are some of the most difficult to detect. By falsifying caller ID details, fraudsters can make calls, texts, or emails appear legitimate, increasing the likelihood that victims will share passwords, PINs, account numbers, or verification codes.
While our team may contact you about suspicious activity, we will never ask for your online banking credentials, your full Social Security number, your full card number, your PIN, your CVV, or verification codes. Requests for any of these details are a clear sign of fraud.
Protecting yourself requires vigilance and verification. If you receive communication that doesn’t feel right, do not respond; contact us directly at 816-931-4060 to confirm its legitimacy.
Educating your employees, reviewing trusted resources, and using our Fraud Awareness and Business Knowledge Center can help strengthen your defenses. Together, we can reduce risk and keep your financial information secure. Read the full article on how to protect yourself and your company from caller ID spoofing.
Commercial Banking Solutions
Take control of business spending with FNBO commercial card programs
Managing expenses across your organization doesn’t have to be complicated. With an FNBO Commercial Credit Card, you gain a more innovative, more streamlined way to track purchases, manage cash flow, and empower employees, while keeping complete visibility and control.
FNBO’s commercial card program is built for businesses of all sizes, offering flexible credit options, enhanced security features, and powerful online tools that help you monitor spending in real time. You can set customized limits, reduce reliance on reimbursements, simplify vendor payments, and strengthen fraud protection with advanced controls.
And because the FNBO Commercial Card integrates seamlessly with your existing financial systems, you’ll spend less time sorting expenses and more time focusing on other priorities.
Explore benefits, card options, and how to get started here.