If you’re a customer who usually leaves a tip for baristas at your local Starbucks shop now you can do so digitally. Due to surge in popularity over its mobile app, Starbucks will soon incorporate a mobile tipping option, which will allow patrons to tip 50 cents, $1 or $2 anytime … [Read more...]
OECD projects struggling emerging markets will hurt global recovery
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a new report Tuesday that warned markets in the emerging countries could very well hurt global economic growth in the near-term. In addition, the Paris-based entity forecasted that the bad winter weather … [Read more...]
Men’s Wearhouse to acquire Jos. A. Bank in $1.8 billion deal
It finally seems that after a long dispute between both parties, Men’s Wearhouse has acquired rival Jos. A. Bank for $1.8 billion. Men’s Wearhouse announced Tuesday that it will be paying $65 per share, a five percent premium to its competitor’s most recent closing price. It … [Read more...]
Poll: Governmental mayhem causing small business pessimism
Political uncertainty can usually be identified as the antithesis for market growth. This is confirmed in the latest study conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which discovered that small businesses are less optimistic of the economy because of the … [Read more...]
Fed’s Dudley: U.S. economic prospects ‘reasonably favorable’
Although it has been a slow one, there have been some bright spots in the United States economic recovery, says New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley in a speech Friday. The central banker confirmed that it will not be walking away from an accommodative monetary policy … [Read more...]
Omnicom deal sets Instagram up for big advertising profits
Instagram, a photo- and video-sharing website, has inked its very first advertising deal with an agency. Ad Age published a report Saturday that cited sources close to the situation saying Instagram signed a $100 million year-long deal with Omnicom. Both Omnicom and Facebook have … [Read more...]
IRS doles out 48 million refunds with $3,034 average
It’s that time again: tax season, a period of the year when millions of Americans pull their hair out, dig through old receipts and research endlessly on the Internet searching for tax deductions, tax exemptions and tax papers. It’s indeed a very busy time for everyone from coast to … [Read more...]
Visa and MasterCard team up to combat credit card fraud with EMV technology
In the wake of the massive data breach at Target that compromised more than 110 million accounts, credit card companies MasterCard and Visa have decided to coalesce in order to establish a group that will enhance payment security for customers. The group will consist of various banks, … [Read more...]
Walmart expanding into India’s ecommerce marketplace
Is Walmart entering India’s immense ecommerce marketplace? That is the word on the street from various sources this week. Soon after eBay announced it will be investing $133 million in Snapdeal, Walmart has reportedly hired a team of more than a dozen industry professionals to start … [Read more...]
Brick and mortar stores close down as online shopping continues to grow
This week, a few more traditional brick-and-mortar chain stores announced that they would be shutting down additional outlets. What was once the beacon of American capitalism and free markets since the mid-20th century has now transformed into heightened competitive 21st century … [Read more...]
Will Janet Yellen’s ‘do all I can’ remark mean increased QE
Prior to officially becoming head of the most powerful system in the world, the Federal Reserve, there were numerous warnings that she would not reverse the $10 to $20 billion taper talk and actually increase the central bank’s quantitative easing measures that were put into place by … [Read more...]
U.S. Congressman Jared Polis may be right in satirical bid to ban dollar
Should the United States government ban the greenback? Colorado Democratic Congressman Jared Polis wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and five other federal regulators – it was confirmed by his press secretary that it was never actually sent to them – Wednesday in which he … [Read more...]
Texas outsources toll collecting to payday loan service ACE Cash Express
At a time when payday lending has dominated the headlines for the Texas gubernatorial race, a new report came out that found the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) will be working with ACE Cash Express to collect tolls for the new César Chávez Border Highway toll road … [Read more...]
CFSA Poll: 80% of Payday Loan Borrowers Say Debt is Easy to Repay
Whether it’s a media exaggeration or the government trying to find a problem, a recent poll found that payday loan borrowers are quite satisfied with the terms of the lender. Many respondents also felt that using a payday loan establishment should be their choice and not the federal, … [Read more...]
‘FTC Negotiates Access to Consumers’ Bank Accounts with Payday Loan Lenders
All states in the US are taking strict actions against payday lenders after receiving numerous complaints from the consumers about these companies over the years. The consumer groups and civil rights activists have pulled in the support of the federal bank regulators i.e. the Federal … [Read more...]
Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Stall in the Eleventh Hour
As the American people helplessly watch and wait for word from Washington, fiscal cliff talks in the Senate hit and rebounded from various roadblocks Dec. 30—less than 24 hours from the make-or-break deadline. As all bets were placed on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and … [Read more...]
Senate Leaders Attempt to Hash Out a Last-minute Fiscal Cliff Deal
Senate leaders attempted to hash out a last-minute deal to resolve the fiscal cliff conundrum Dec. 29, but as night fell with no sign of a breakthrough, optimism began to diminish. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who on Friday told reporters he was “hopeful and optimistic” a … [Read more...]
Obama’s Ultimatum – Fiscal Cliff Compromise or Vote
President Barack Obama addressed the nation Dec. 28 following an hour-long negotiation with Congressional leaders on how to avoid the ever-approaching fiscal cliff. According to Obama, he has assigned Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell … [Read more...]
Fiscal Cliff Just Days Away and John Boehner Extends His Vacation
As the time to avoid the approaching fiscal cliff can now be counted in hours, President Obama and the Senate returned to Washington to resume work Dec. 27. The House of Representatives, however, will not return until Dec. 30—only 30 hours before the deadline. At this point, it’s hard … [Read more...]
Home Prices Indicate Economic Recovery Despite Looming Fiscal Cliff
Economic doomsday theorists may persist in their declarations that an unresolved fiscal cliff spells disaster for the U.S. economy, but recent data from Standard and Poor/Case-Shiller says otherwise. The organization’s national home price index, released Dec. 26, increased 4.3 percent … [Read more...]
