“A lot of clients previously were reluctant because dollars were sacred in the eyes of the supplier,” Comings said. “Now the vibe from overseas vendors seems to be, ‘Just give us our currency.’”
While the dollar saw a brief boost amid the turmoil in the Middle East, the currency is still about 8% lower this year against a basket of other currencies. That followed a steep gain of 7% in the final quarter of 2024, according to a Bloomberg index. This volatility, which complicates pricing decisions and poses earnings risks, increasingly means the dollar is falling out of favor.
Some US Bank clients offer a glimpse into this trend. A lumber company from the Midwest now converts its US cash into euros before paying for hardwood imports from Europe — a change from its previous practice of simply sending dollars. The move was spurred in part by a 2% discount offered by its European supplier for making payments in the single currency.
