In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Bobby Holland of U.S. Bank and Bob Costello of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for a timely and data-rich discussion on the Q2 2025 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index—and what the latest shifts in the freight economy mean for shippers, carriers, and supply chain leaders.
They discuss the first quarter in over two years where all five U.S. regions saw increases in shipment volume, signaling a potential turning point after a prolonged slowdown. Bobby shares fresh Index data on spend and shipment velocity, while Bob brings broader economic context, including consumer spending patterns, inflationary pressure, and the uneven pace of recovery. From driver shortages and regional capacity gaps to policy impacts and shifting inventory strategies, the panel examines how these macroeconomic forces are playing out in freight and what they could mean for the rest of 2025, offering insights for supply chain professionals preparing for continued volatility, opportunities in cross-border trade, and early signs of renewed activity.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(00:51) Overview of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index
(06:15) National freight trends and insights
(22:26) Midwest region analysis
(25:59) Rebalancing supply chains
(26:57) Consumer spending trends
(27:33) Goods vs. services spending
(29:30) Northeast region insights
(36:31) Southeast region insights
(44:56) Future of freight markets
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