Tag Archive | "economy"
Council Applauds House Passage of Financial Reform Bill
The Council of Institutional Investors applauds the House of Representatives’ efforts to strengthen the regulation of the U.S. financial system through the reforms contained in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 4173). The Council is grateful to Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services and prime [...]
Continue reading...Job Growth Hindered by Interchange Fees
Monday, December 7, 2009
Consumers for Competitive Choice (C4CC) president Bob Johnson has a suggestion that will spur more job growth: interchange fee reform. The President and his economic team gathered yesterday to hear from some of the best and brightest CEOs, small business owners, and financial experts about ideas for continuing to grow the economy and put Americans [...]
Continue reading...Economic Stimulus and Low Rates Tempt Buyers to Bite Into the Housing Market - Chew on This Mortgage Expert’s Advice First
Saturday, December 5, 2009
For many homebuyers and homeowners, historically low rates and the new tax incentives on real estate in the government’s economic stimulus bill are like manna from heaven. But if you’re a first-time buyer or looking to refinance your existing home, here’s something you should chew on first: the latest book by mortgage expert Dale Vermillion, [...]
Continue reading...Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Set New Record Low
Friday, November 27, 2009
The average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.00 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.44 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed mortgage was down to 4.47 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate rose to 6.03 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages decreased [...]
Continue reading...Holding on to the Holidays
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Traditions are at the heart of the African-American culture, proudly carried from generation to generation, especially during the holiday shopping season. Whether hosting Kwanzaa celebrations, tree-trimming parties, or just gathering to share a meal, most holiday traditions provide the bond that keeps the family close and connected. During these challenging economic times, nearly half (43 percent) [...]
Continue reading...Entrepreneurs Thrive During Hard Times According to Babson/Baruch U.S. GEM Report
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Entrepreneurial and business activities show positive signs during these hard times, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2008 National Entrepreneurial Assessment for the United States of America, produced by Babson College and Baruch College. * Entrepreneurship Increases: Total entrepreneurial activity (TEA) increased to 10.8% in 2008 from 9.6% in 2007. * Opportunity Obsessed: Opportunity continues to [...]
Continue reading...Don’t Let Black Friday Push You into the Red
Friday, November 20, 2009
More than 172 million shopping enthusiasts visited stores and websites over Thanksgiving weekend last year. If you’re planning on joining the masses for Black Friday 2009, keep in mind that the sales may be out of this world, but you could also run into some financial pitfalls. The Illinois CPA Society offers these tips for [...]
Continue reading...Americans’ Online Shopping Decisions Affected by Security Concerns
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
As Americans gear up for the holiday shopping season and Cyber Monday, the unofficial start of the online holiday shopping season on November 30, it is clear that Web site security plays a major part in consumers’ purchasing decisions, according to a new poll by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Symantec [ SYMC]. [...]
Continue reading...Holiday Traditions Prove to Be More Important During Recession
Sunday, November 15, 2009
When it comes to celebrating the Holidays, Americans have always relied on traditions to make the season special. From baking cookies, shopping, to singing Christmas carols, to decorating the tree, families draw on festivities to not only make memories, but also as a way to have fun and stay connected. This year they are putting traditions [...]
Continue reading...Consumers’ Optimism Toward the Economy May Bode Well for Retailers this Holiday Season
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Philadelphia shoppers are more optimistic about the economy and their budgeting, and that optimism is starting to show in Philadelphians’ shopping plans as the holiday shopping season kicks off, according to Deloitte’s 24th Annual Holiday Survey of retail spending and trends. Fears about the recession are slowly subsiding, with more than half of those surveyed (52 [...]
Continue reading...Affordable Prices Draw Investors to Real Estate
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Affordable prices and foreclosures are attracting investors to the real estate markets today, and the number of consumers interested in investing in real estate has doubled since March 2009, according to the new Move.com Homeownership Survey released today. Low prices and foreclosure bargains have also become the most important reasons motivating buyers today to purchase [...]
Continue reading...Recession Changing Workplace Expectations of Millennials
Monday, November 9, 2009
Over half (55 percent) of Millennials have experienced a layoff or loss of work in their family within the past year, and nearly three-fourths (72 percent) feel threatened by a possible layoff or loss of work in the coming months, according to research conducted by Lumin Collaborative, an integrated communications agency network consisting of five [...]
Continue reading...Credit Card Security Rules Evolving Faster Than Businesses Can Keep Up
Friday, November 6, 2009
Experts from Protiviti and Retailer 99 Cents Only Stores to Present PCI Compliance Strategy in Webinar for Organizations that Accept Credit Card Payments A flurry of new regulations, guidelines and clarifications designed to improve credit card security at the point of purchase has retailers and other organizations that accept credit card payments - especially their internal [...]
Continue reading...Greater Access to Efficient and Flexible Donor-Advised Fund Capabilities
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Several enhancements to the Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund, one of the nation’s leading donor-advised funds are now available to help the state of personal finance of many people. These enhancements include the ability for donors to create a customized donor-advised fund that aligns to their personal giving strategies through an innovative online portal. [...]
Continue reading...Surviving the Job Market in a Perilous Economy
Monday, November 2, 2009
In an economy where unemployment rates are at an all-time high, personal finance advice on how to survive in the working world can be extremely valuable. In their new book, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s Employment Survival Guide” (published by AuthorHouse), co-authors Odie and Daval Smith offer readers both practical and spiritual insight into how to [...]
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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