In the high-octane world of real estate investing, the mantra has long been "leverage is king." For over a decade, investors flocked to the BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) as the golden ticket to rapid wealth accumulation. However, as the economic landscape shifts—defined by volatile interest rates, inflationary pressures on maintenance, and a…
Main Facts: The prospect of aging is a universal reality, but the financial implications of long-term care for elderly parents often remain an unspoken fear, lurking in the shadows until a crisis strikes. Across the United States, families are grappling with the escalating costs of care, which can swiftly deplete a lifetime of savings, leaving…
By PYMNTS | June 18, 2026 In a coordinated move reflecting the collective stance of the American financial sector, five major trade associations have formally petitioned federal banking regulators to further refine the proposed Basel III capital requirements. While acknowledging that the March 2026 iteration of the proposal marks a significant improvement over its controversial…
In a significant escalation of political pressure on Wall Street, two prominent Democratic lawmakers have formally challenged Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon regarding the bank’s decision to retain outgoing Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Kathryn Ruemmler in an advisory capacity. The inquiry, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), follows a series…
SAN FRANCISCO – In a move that signals a significant evolution of its "one-stop-shop" financial strategy, SoFi Technologies announced on Tuesday the official launch of its small-business lending vertical. The digital-first bank, which rose to prominence as a student loan refinancer, is now pivoting to capture a larger share of the entrepreneurial market at a…
By Bruce McClary, NFCC March 4, 2026 In the modern economic landscape, where consumer debt levels continue to climb, it is common for individuals to seek "silver bullet" solutions to alleviate the pressure of credit card balances, personal loans, and medical bills. One of the most frequently asked questions at the National Foundation for Credit…
The landscape of the food franchise industry in 2026 is defined by a paradox: while consumer demand for convenience has never been higher, the threshold for what constitutes a "successful" brand has shifted toward radical product differentiation and sophisticated digital integration. As prospective franchisees evaluate their next move, the traditional "one-size-fits-all" burger-and-fry model is rapidly…
By Bruce McClary, NFCC | March 4, 2026 In an era of rising living costs and persistent consumer debt, many Americans find themselves searching for a "silver bullet" to achieve financial freedom. For those with a 401(k) retirement account, the balance displayed on their quarterly statement can look like a tempting lifeline—a pool of ready…
In an era where travel planning relies heavily on digital precision, a single administrative error can cascade into a logistical nightmare. A recent case involving Virgin Atlantic and a long-haul award booking has brought to light the precarious nature of airline customer service, particularly when multiple carriers are involved in a single itinerary. A traveler,…
As the United States, Mexico, and Canada approach the pivotal July 2026 deadline for the first formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the North American economic landscape finds itself at a precarious juncture. Policymakers are now forced to confront a binary reality: preserve the stability of the current trilateral framework or descend into…
