For the approximately 29 million American adults who smoke cigarettes, the daily reality involves navigating health risks and social stigma. However, one of the most significant, yet often overlooked, financial hurdles for smokers is the life insurance market. While traditional underwriting practices generally penalize tobacco use, the reality is that smokers—perhaps more than any other…
In a watershed moment for cybersecurity, Microsoft Corp. has issued a massive suite of software updates aimed at remediating at least 570 unique security vulnerabilities across its Windows ecosystem and auxiliary software products. This staggering figure—nearly triple the volume of patches released during last month’s already significant "Patch Tuesday"—signals a paradigm shift in how global…
WASHINGTON — July 7, 2026 — As the United States grapples with a summer marked by record-breaking, above-normal temperatures, a dangerous public health crisis is simmering in the background: the systematic disconnection of essential utility services for millions of Americans. A newly released report from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), Protecting Access to Essential…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In a significant development for the landscape of American consumer and civil rights advocacy, three high-ranking former enforcement officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have announced the formation of a new public interest law firm. The firm, Halperin Petersen & Mikkilineni LLP (HPM), seeks to fill a…
New York, NY – July 9, 2026 – Mortgage interest rates have experienced a notable uptick today, directly correlated with the renewed escalation of conflict in Iran. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has climbed to 6.53% Annual Percentage Rate (APR), marking an increase of seven basis points from yesterday and eleven…
In a move that marks a definitive new chapter for Hawaii’s oldest and largest financial institution, Honolulu-based First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire TriCo Bancshares, the parent company of Tri Counties Bank, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. This strategic pivot represents a bold return to the…
In the hyper-competitive landscape of modern business, speed is no longer just a competitive advantage—it is a prerequisite for survival. Small business owners, often constrained by limited resources and time, are increasingly turning to sophisticated automation to level the playing field against larger enterprises. Recognizing this shift, Salesforce has unveiled a suite of powerful enhancements…
In the high-stakes world of real estate, the most successful investors are rarely those with the most capital at the outset. Instead, they are the ones who possess the most creative problem-solving skills. Andy Gill, a Connecticut-based general contractor and real estate investor, embodies this philosophy. After losing his business during the economic turbulence of…
Travelers looking to optimize their hotel budgets for the remainder of 2026 have been handed a rare opportunity. Choice Privileges, the loyalty program for the expansive Choice Hotels group, has unveiled a new promotional offer that allows members to purchase points at a discount of up to 45%. With the ability to acquire points at…
The dream of homeownership often comes with a cold, hard reality: things break. For many, the realization hits at the worst possible moment—a flooded basement during a dinner party, an air conditioner that dies in the peak of July, or a boiler that fails during a subzero winter snap. When the repair bills start mounting,…
