The news: Brokered deposits at US banks decreased for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q1 2025, per S&P Global. This indicates that banks are reducing their dependence on this generally more expensive funding source in favor of lower-cost options.

Why this matters: Brokered deposits are considered less stable than core customer deposits due to their greater rate sensitivity. Reducing reliance on them suggests that banks are building a more stable and resilient funding base, reducing liquidity risk. 

It could also indicate that financial institutions' (FIs) strategies for attracting more customers for their lower-cost deposit products are working.