Skip to main content

“The July jobs report was almost uniformly positive with strong job gains resulting in a large drop in the unemployment rate,” said NAFCU Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Curt Long.

WASHINGTON–The U.S. economy roared into midsummer with strong gains in hiring, according to the latest jobs report, even as questions remain over the ability to maintain the momentum as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.

According to numbers released last week by the Labor Department, employers added 943,000 jobs in July. But the number comes with a caveat in that the data was collected in the first half of the month, before variant-related cases exploded in many parts of the United States.

“The July jobs report was almost uniformly positive with strong job gains resulting in a large drop in the unemployment rate,” said NAFCU Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Curt Long. “The retail sector did not enjoy a share in the gains, losing over 5,000 jobs during the month, but otherwise gains were broad. This report will add to mounting pressure on the Fed to taper asset purchases.”

The numbers marked the best monthly performance since August 2020, and underscored how far the recovery has come, at least until the Delta variant appeared on the scene, noted the New York Times.

Unemployment Rate Falls

The unemployment rate fell to 5.4%, compared with 5.9% in June. Before the report, the consensus of economists polled by Bloomberg forecast a gain of 858,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate dipping to 5.7%.

“This is a great report, very solid in terms of job growth, wage growth and the decline in the unemployment rate,” Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh, told the Times. “I don’t see the Delta variant derailing the recovery.”

The Times noted the education arena, often a laggard in July as schools close and teachers go off the payroll, was a leader last month. Instead of letting teachers go as they have in the past, schools kept more workers on the payroll, creating a larger seasonal adjustment upward in the number of teaching jobs, the report noted.

Strong Hiring by Government

Local government added 221,000 education jobs, after a jump in June, and 40,000 jobs were added in private education. Leisure and hospitality businesses, which were hit hard by lockdowns last year, recovered further, adding 380,000 jobs. That included 253,000 in food and drinking establishments, along with hiring gains in lodging and in arts, entertainment and recreation, according to the Labor Department.

The data show manufacturing and construction showed more modest increases, hampered by higher goods prices and a shortage of components like semiconductors. Employment in professional and business services jumped by 60,000, a sign that the white-collar sector is on the upswing.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why Avoiding "I" in Marketing Presentations Matters

  Grant Sheehan, CCUE | CCUP | CEO NCOFCU  You know how things just stick with you? Well, many years ago, my marketing professor started off his class with the following, and it has never left me.  The Power of Perspective: Why Avoiding "I" in Marketing Presentations Matters In the world of marketing, effective communication is paramount. One valuable piece of advice that often comes from experienced instructors and industry veterans is the importance of avoiding the use of the word “I” in presentations and reports. At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive; after all, many individuals feel that personal anecdotes and experiences can enhance a message. However, upon deeper reflection, the reasoning behind this approach reveals itself as essential for achieving impactful communication. Building Objectivity When marketing professionals present their findings or insights, it’s important to establish credibility. Utilizing data, surveys, and feedback from cu...

Letter to Federal Credit Unions (25-FCU-02) Federal Credit Union Post-Examination Survey

    Letter to Federal Credit Unions (25-FCU-02) Federal Credit Union Post-Examination Survey Dear Boards of Directors and Chief Executive Officers: The NCUA has been using a voluntary post-examination survey for examinations of federal credit unions since 2021. This feedback is very important and helps the NCUA evaluate our examination processes; credit unions have used the open-ended questions to submit numerous useful suggestions. To further improve the survey process, the NCUA has arranged to have the post-examination survey administered by an external vendor. The external vendor will begin administering the survey starti...

Open Banking To Hit $94B By 2029—But U.S. Lags Amid Global Surge

NEW YORK—By 2029, open banking is projected to surge globally to a staggering $94.14 billion in value. Yet despite its rapid evolution and expanding global footprint, adoption remains uneven—hindered by inconsistent regulatory frameworks across countries. According to GlobalData, this disparity poses a key challenge for the sector’s success, with the U.S. notably trailing behind global peers in embracing open banking. The U.K. pioneered open banking and continues to be one of the leaders globally. The country has seen the number of users increasing, with there being 12.09 million active users of open banking in 2024 and 223.9 million payments made. This is an increase of 72% compared to the year before. “As open banking continues to flourish, it is positive to see that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) have outlined how open banking can expand further in the U.K., and also be used in variable recurring payments and e-commerce. With this move,...

Agencies Issue Exemption Order To Customer Identification Program (CIP) Requirements

WASHINGTON--The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and NCUA, with the concurrence of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, issued an order Friday granting an exemption from a requirement of the Customer Identification Program (CIP) Rule implementing Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The CIP Rule requires a bank or credit union to obtain taxpayer identification number (TIN) information from its customer before opening an account, and the exemption permits a bank or credit union to use an alternative collection method to obtain TIN information from a third-party rather than from the customer, the agencies stated in a joint release. The order applies to accounts at all entities supervised by the agencies. "Since the CIP Rule was issued initially in 2003, there has been a significant evolution in the ways consumers access financial services, along with a rise in reported customer reluctance to provide their full TIN due, in part, to...

Fresh First Quarter 5300 Data Is Live. How Do You Compare?

  CALLAHAN RESOURCE Fresh First Quarter Data Is Live. How Do You Compare? The latest NCUA call report data is out, and while you’ve been focused on day-to-day priorities, market shifts might be affecting how you reach your goals. That’s why credit union leaders are already benchmarking performance to spot trends and inform their next moves. Ready to join them? Schedule a free performance analysis session with Callahan to gain a clear view of where you stand. Schedule Now