The Opening Bell

This week starts the biggest tournament in college sports – March Madness. Steve checked in with USA Today Sports Reporter, Steve Berkowitz, to discuss the possible changes this year for the tournament, and also the under the radar lawsuit the NCAA is facing with Division I Student Athletes. Steve also discussed the latest book from Leslie Kean, “Surviving Death: A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” and realizing how little humans know about the reality that we live in.  

This snowy Monday morning on The Opening Bell, Steve Grzanich was joined by Joe Oberweis from Oberweis Dairy for this week’s CEO Spotlight. They talked about the evolution of the dairy industry, the differences between dairy and non-dairy beverages and the mission of the family-owned company. Then, he talked to author Roberta Matuson about her new book, The Magnetic Leader: How Irresistible Leaders Attract Employees, Customers, and Profits. She gave insight into how influential the right leadership skills can be […]

On March 13, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The congressional budget office scoring for the GOP health insurance bill will come out today. 61st session of the Commission of the Status of Women akes place today in New York.

This week marked the eighth anniversary of the bull market and the other factor many are excited about is the jobs report released later today. Steve checked in with Paul Nolte (Kingsview Asset Management) to discuss what this report is expected to say and how 2017 continues to move. Steve also talked with New York Times Best Selling Author, William Cohan. His new book, “Why Wall Street Matters” looks at the way Wall Street has become ingrained in every day […]

On March 10 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The Unemployment and Jobs Report for February comes out today The US Treasury releases it’s annual federal budget today SXSW begins today in Austin, Texas  

There is always something changing in the world of commercial real estate and Greg Warsek (SVP & Sr. Regional Manager of CRE in the Chicago Market) shared his perspective on the big picture. Steve and Greg discussed many things on this week’s Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation such as the interest rate hike next week, that will be a major focus for many, and a new technology that will be shaping the commercial real estate market to make it more […]

On March 9 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The US Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims Freddie Mac releases weekly mortgage rate The report on Annual World Wide Cost of Living is released today The World Agriculture Outlook Board releases the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates Report today The American Society of Civil Engineers releases it’s 2017 infrastructure report card today Fortune lists the 100 best companies to work for today

The retail landscape has changed dramatically in a short amount of time, and many are betting on the e-commerce platforms. Steve discussed this retail future with Dana Telsey (CEO & Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group) before today’s Chicago Loop Alliance‘s “The Future of Retail” discussion. The economic impact of the environment is also a reoccurring concern, and particularly in the Midwest, the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer. Steve discussed the invasive species with Clifford Sadof (IPM Coordinator […]

On March 7 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The US Commerce Department releases figures for International Trade of Good and Services The Federal Reserve Consumer releases the Installment Credit Numbers for January National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine will report on the potential human effects of surface coal mining operations in the Central Appalachians Dicks Sporting Goods, H&R Block, & Urban Outfitters all report earnings  

It’s clear that Illinois has made it’s impact on the international startup stage, and much of that is thanks to the state’s universities and colleges. Steve discussed the major increase of startups coming out of the state with Matt Bragg (Program Manager – Data & Policy at Illinois Science and Technological Coalition). Big changes are also coming for America’s original fast food restaurant, McDonalds. Peter Frost (Food and Beverage Reporter at Crains Chicago) talked about the struggles McDonalds is having […]