Explore financial systems, trends, and expert advice to manage money and understand tech's impact on finance.
Funding
Seattle-based venture capital firm Madrona Capital is marking its 30th anniversary with a significant milestone: raising $770 million in fresh capital, its largest fundraise to date. This achievement surpasses the $690 million raised across two funds in 2022, highlighting the firm’s enduring appeal to investors, even in a challenging
Economy
A Pew Research poll in 2024 revealed that only 23% of Americans viewed the U.S. economy positively. However, data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) painted a different picture, showing the economy grew from $27.72 trillion in 2023 to $29.17 trillion in 2024. With more income
Finance
Credit card debt in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, with significant variations across different states. As of the third quarter of 2024, the average credit card balance per cardholder was $6,380, marking a substantial increase from previous years. Top 3 States With the Highest Credit Card Debt
Real Estate
The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in the United States has dipped slightly to 6.81%, offering a small relief to prospective homebuyers amid a challenging real estate market. This follows a modest decline from the previous week's rate of 6.85%, according to data released
Construction
The U.S. faces a massive housing shortage, with millions of homes needed to meet growing demand. However, builders are struggling to deliver. A combination of rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory hurdles is stalling construction, even as home prices soar. The Housing Crisis in Numbers The U.S. currently
Small Business
President Donald Trump's policies have significantly influenced small business borrowing in the United States. His administration's approach to taxation, regulation, and trade has created both opportunities and challenges for small business owners seeking financing. Tax Policies and Incentives The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted
Banking
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule to regulate major technology companies offering digital payment services, including Apple, Google, and PayPal, similarly to traditional banks. This decision, effective 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, applies to firms processing over 50 million transactions
Banking
The World Bank is currently facing significant scrutiny due to reports of unaccounted climate funds and the prospect of budget cuts from the incoming Trump administration. An Oxfam report published in October 2024 revealed that between $24 billion and $41 billion of the World Bank's climate finance over
Assets
Safe-deposit boxes, once a staple service offered by banks for securely storing valuables and important documents, are becoming increasingly scarce. Major financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Santander, and Capital One have ceased offering new safe-deposit boxes, citing diminished demand and the rise of digital banking services. This trend has
Banking
Payment processing companies play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless transactions between businesses and their customers. As the backbone of e-commerce and online retail, these entities ensure that money flows securely and efficiently across the globe, enabling businesses to expand their reach and cater to a broader audience. The right
Entrepreneurship
Have you ever dreamed of running your own business, but the thought of starting from scratch seems daunting? Buying an existing business could be your ideal path to entrepreneurship. Unlike starting from zero, acquiring an existing business means stepping into an operation with established systems, a customer base, and immediate
Accounting
Business liquidity is a crucial aspect of financial health that often determines an organization's ability to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and sustain operations. In essence, liquidity refers to the ease with which a company can convert its assets into cash without causing significant loss in value. In this