This Week in Finance News: 12 Stories You Need to See

A roundup of the most newsworthy financial press releases from PR Newswire this week, including 10 economic insights for 2025 and the most powerful rising executives in the Fortune 500.

NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help finance journalists and consumers stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

1. S&P Global Market Intelligence Announces Top 10 Economic Insights for 2025
   "With renewed inflationary pressures expected to pause the Fed's easing cycle, global financial conditions are going to be much less accommodative than previously expected. This spells trouble for economic growth; we are lowering our forecasts pretty much across the board," said Ken Wattret, Global Economist, S&P Global Market Intelligence.  
2. FTX Announces Effective Date and Record Date of January 3, 2025 for its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization
   "We are well positioned to begin executing the distribution of recoveries back to all customers and creditors, and encourage customers to complete the necessary steps to begin receiving distributions in a timely manner," said John J. Ray III, Chief Executive Officer of the FTX Debtors.
3. Zest AI Announces $200 Million Growth Investment from Insight Partners
   The growth capital will enable Zest AI to double down on its current product portfolio, continuing to advance fraud protection and generative AI – all to build the future of lending through AI.
4. Fortune Next To Lead: The 25 Most Powerful Rising Executives In The Fortune 500
   Executives on the list work in a range of sectors spanning technology, energy, health care, financial services, retail, and consumer goods. Notably, 44% of the featured leaders are women, and 52% are people of color.
5. ISM® Reports Economic Improvement to Continue in 2025
   Manufacturing Growth Expected in 2025; Revenue to Increase 4.2%; Capital Expenditures to Increase 5.2%; Capacity Utilization Currently at 82.3%; Services Growth Projected in 2025; Revenue to Increase 3.9%; Capital Expenditures to Increase 5.1%; Capacity Utilization Currently at 87.4%.
6. 72% of Consumers Have a Resolution to Pay Off Debt in 2025 According to New Survey
   "As we head into the New Year, I encourage individuals to review their current financial situation and work on a plan that supports their unique needs. Don't hesitate to explore educational resources to learn more or enlist the support of a professional that can help chart both short-and long-term goals," said Bobbi Rebell, a CFP® and Personal Finance Expert with BadCredit.org.
7. S.A.F.E. Squad to the Rescue! Zelle® and Christina Ricci are Back to Educate Consumers on Financial Crime
   "I'm proud to continue to be the face of the S.A.F.E. Squad content series with Zelle®, and to spotlight stories that showcase the financial crime ecosystem and to educate people about better spotting red flags and to help keep their money safe," Ricci said.
8. North American Manufacturers Begin Stockpiling to Buffer Against Tariffs While Asian Suppliers Record Renewed Growth as Chinese Manufacturing Rebounds, Driven by Stimulus and Exports: GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index
   In North America, reports of safety stockpiling were at their most pronounced since July, highlighting how procurement managers have already implemented changes to their inventory strategies as a result of the incoming US administration's public commitment to impose significant tariffs.
9. US consumers' spending intent still healthy but momentum is slowing, with early warning signs over prospects into 2025--Bain & Company/Dynata Consumer Health Indexes 
   Americans remain in a healthy spending posture in the final weeks of the holiday shopping season but there are tentative signals that US consumer activity could weaken into spring next year.
10. Housing Market Unlikely to Thaw in 2025 Due to Affordability Challenges and 'Lock-in Effect'
    "From an affordability perspective, we think 2025 will look a lot like 2024, with mortgage rates above 6 percent, home price growth easing from recent highs but staying positive, and supply remaining below pre-pandemic levels," said Mark Palim, Fannie Mae Senior Vice President and Chief Economist.
11. Post-Trump Victory, California Remains An Economic Powerhouse… But His Policies Could Have Major, State-Specific, Effects
    "Beyond the stock market rally, Donald Trump's election could have major ripple effects on California's economy in the near future—assuming certain policies come to pass," said Niree Kodaverdian, Research Manager at Beacon Economics and the outlook's author. "From international moves such as tightening immigration and imposing tariffs, to domestic shifts like eliminating EV tax credits, the impacts could be far-reaching."
12. PNC Multifamily Capital Announces $128 Million Affordable Housing Fund, Increasing Access to Affordable Housing Across the U.S.
    The housing funds will provide up to $128 million in financing for more than 1,400 affordable housing rental units in 13 multifamily properties in 10 states, including California, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas, among others.

For more news like this, check out all of the latest finance-related releases from PR Newswire.

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