GOOD MORNING, CFO
Monday, September 8, 2025
Deepfakes are cornering CFOs like never before. Hiring’s gone sleepy, and markets are bracing for a major Fed move.
In this issue:
AI scams turn personal—and pricey
Jobs report flashes warning signs
Markets price in a “big cut” ahead
RISK MANAGEMENT
AI Fraud is Getting Personal, and Expensive
Generative AI is powering a surge in scams, from deepfake video calls with fake CEOs to automated phishing. Deloitte predicts U.S. fraud losses could soar from $12 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027. Experts warn this isn't just a future threat, it’s a board-level issue now, and CFOs should brace for a rising tide of ROI-zeroing misfires.
ECONOMY
Job Growth Tumbles; Fed Rates Look Ready to Slide
August saw the U.S. add only 22,000 jobs, well below expectations. Unemployment ticked up to 4.3%, the highest level since 2021. This has futures markets expecting a hefty Fed rate cut in September, even 50 basis points, according to Standard Chartered.
MARKET FORCES
Wall Street’s thinking: “Bad news is good news.” With labor data flagging, traders now see a 66–75 basis point cut as likely before year-end. Stock futures climbed, bond yields slipped, and the dollar took a breather, all ahead of inflation reports due midweek.
FAST FACTS
Indicator | Snapshot |
|---|---|
$40 billion | Forecasted AI fraud loss by 2027 |
22,000 jobs | Added in August |
4.3% | U.S. unemployment rate |
50 bps cut | What Standard Chartered now expects |
66% | Probability futures traders assign to finished rate range of 3.5%–3.75% by year-end |
MORNING HACKS
Deploy AI fraud drills: Simulate deepfake scams and phishing to test your team’s readiness and response times.
Revisit wage models: With hiring flagging, use this lull to root out inefficiencies and stretch top performer retention budgets.
Lock in refinancing rates: Bond yields are slipping fast, dragged down by rate cut bets; so check your debt calendars now.
👋 If you’re in the grind for the corporate CFO throne, maybe it's time to jump the bench.
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