By PYMNTS | July 10, 2026 The mortgage underwriting process, for decades, has been a ritual of paper: the gathering of tax returns, the submission of payslips, and the verification of bank statements. It was a system built on the assumption that while a borrower might lie, a document—stamped, signed, and official—could not. In 2026,…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 7, 2026 — As the United States grapples with a summer defined by record-shattering temperatures, a sobering reality has emerged: for millions of Americans, the air conditioner is not a luxury, but a life-saving medical device. Yet, as heat indices climb, an antiquated regulatory framework continues to allow utility companies to…
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—the very entity tasked with safeguarding the nation’s digital defenses—is currently reeling from a major security breach. A contractor with administrative access to the agency’s development infrastructure intentionally published a trove of sensitive credentials, including AWS GovCloud keys and internal system passwords, on a public GitHub repository. The…
In the hierarchy of personal financial planning, life insurance often sits at the top of the priority list. It is a staple of adult responsibility, widely understood and frequently discussed. However, a glaring blind spot exists in the average American’s safety net: while most people focus on the risk of death, they ignore the significantly…
For millions of Americans, the golden years are defined by the dream of financial independence, travel, and passing a legacy to the next generation. Yet, a silent, high-stakes threat looms over these plans—a threat that has nothing to do with stock market crashes, inflationary pressures, or tax hikes. The true "retirement killer" is the staggering…
By PYMNTS | July 3, 2026 The excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed for many Texas residents by a growing controversy involving ticket marketplace giant StubHub. The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has officially launched an investigation into allegations that the platform has failed to deliver promised tickets or…
By: Alys Cohen (NCLC) and Corey Frayer (CFA) June 23, 2026 In an era defined by rapid financial digitization, the boundary between speculative digital assets and foundational government-backed housing finance has been breached. In a move that has sent shockwaves through housing advocacy groups and legislative watchdogs, the mortgage lender Better and the digital exchange…
For many families, the transition of a loved one into assisted living is a decision fraught with emotional weight and financial complexity. We are conditioned by slick marketing campaigns—glossy brochures, radio spots, and television commercials—that promise a "resort-style" retirement. These advertisements depict aging with dignity, featuring gourmet meals, vibrant social calendars, and 24-hour compassionate care….
In a stunning security failure that has sent shockwaves through the federal government, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—the very entity tasked with safeguarding the nation’s digital defenses—has found itself at the center of a major data breach. Revelations emerged this week that a contractor for the agency inadvertently, yet flagrantly, exposed a…
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2019 and remains a vital resource for consumers navigating modern financial pressures. The following is an updated exploration of how to discern between predatory practices and legitimate nonprofit financial guidance. In an era where consumer debt has reached historic highs, the anxiety surrounding "who to trust"…
