Blog - Page 218 of 228
Fraud Alert

Survey Shows Small Business Owners May Be Naive About Fraud Risks

Technological advances have long been a boon to entrepreneurs, allowing them to run their businesses more effectively than ever before. At the same time these technologies can also be exploited by fraudsters to harm costumers and businesses alike. What’s more it seems that many entrepreneurs do not believe they are susceptible to such scams because of their business’s small size. According to a new survey from Emailage (reported on by...
Rakuten Welcome screenshot

Rakuten vs. Ebates — What's Changing With the Cashback Tool

Lately you may have seen commercials teaching you how to pronounce "Rakuten." Of course these spots aren't just about phonics but about earning cash back. This is driven home by the tagline, "Rakuten: A more rewarding way to shop." If that's the case, how does Rakuten compare to established cash back tools such as Ebates? Well, spoiler alert: they're actually one and the same. Although Rakuten purchased Ebates back in...
US job growth table

February Jobs Numbers Come In Low, Adding Just 20,000

Recent months have shown official job numbers well-exceeding economists expectations — but that was not the case in February. While estimates reported by CNN Business anticipated that data would show the U.S. economy added 180,000 jobs during the shortest month of the year, the Labor Department announced that it actually only added 20,000. That marks the lowest job growth month since September 2017. Nevertheless it was the 101st straight month...
chart of US trade deficits

U.S. Trade Deficit Rises to New Record in 2018

Over the past year one of the biggest financial and economic stories has been President Trump’s use of tariffs on goods from China and other countries. Even before becoming President, then-candidate Trump frequently railed against the trade deficits we hold with various nations. However, despite efforts to curtail these deficits, new figures show that they actually reached a record high in 2018. As the New York Times reports, new data...
XRP logo on a world map

Coinbase and XRP Come Off Week of Controversies

In the week since the Coinbase Pro announced it was adding XRP to its platform, controversy has surrounded both the exchange and the asset in question. Between criticisms about one of Coinbase’s acquisitions to questions about what role Ripple played it the platform listing XRP, both companies have found themselves on the defensive. Starting with Coinbase, their largest current controversy actually revolves around their acquisition of Neutrino earlier this year....
Hawaii here we come - Southwest Airlines

Southwest's Hawaiian Entry Tanks Competitor's Stock

After years of waiting, Southwest Airlines is officially headed to Hawaii. Thanks to the longer range of the Boeing 737 MAX 8s that the budget airline has added to its fleet, travelers will soon be able to catch flights from Oakland and San Jose to Honolulu and Kahului. What's more these flights saw prices start at just $49 each way. Of course, while this may be good news for Southwest...
home with for sale sign and home feature signs

How to Budget for Purchasing Your First Home

So, you’ve finally made the decision. It’s time to stop throwing away money at rent every month and purchase your first home. But how do you get from paying a landlord to being an independent homeowner? If you’re like most first-time homeowners, you’re overwhelmed and stressed at the idea of purchasing a house. There are many unknowns in the process — so it’s important to start saving up in advance...
FTC Fraud Report

FTC Reports Funds Lost to Fraud Rose in 2018

Do you know how to spot a scam? While certain forms of fraud such as the famous inhertance advance fee scheme e-mails may not fool many these days, it seems that thieves are still finding ways to take advantage of unsuspecting adults. In fact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that reports of fraud and ensuing losses both increased last year. According to the latest FTC report, the agency received...
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A Guide to Building Credit and Increasing Your Credit Scores

When it comes to credit, there’s some good news. The average credit score in the United States has been steadily rising in recent years, coming in at 715 in 2023. That may be because, today, consumers not only have more ways to access their credit reports and scores than ever before but also because there are an increasing number of options that Americans have for building credit in the first...

2024 SoFi Checking and Savings Review

Ever since I started taking an interest in the FinTech sector, one company whose name I’ve seen pop up over and over again is SoFi. Lately it seems as though that theme has been sent into overdrive as the company has not only become a household name thanks to its stadium naming rights deal but also because of the company’s continued product expansions. The most interesting development in my mind...
Chase Freedom Flex card

Chase Reveals Q2 2024 Freedom 5%(+) Bonus Categories

Chase has announced its bonus category picks for the second quarter of 2024 — including some interesting twists. About the categories: As April approaches, Chase has revealed what categories Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn bonuses on. From April 1st through June 30th, customers can earn 5% (or more) in three categories: Amazon.com, Hotels, and Restaurants. Similar to how Chase embraced a "New Year, New Me" theme last quarter,...

FedEx Announces Winners of 11th Annual 2023 Small Business Grant Contest

Nearly three months after the entry period ended, FedEx has announced the winners of its 11th annual Small Business Grant Content. This year's event saw more than $300,000 in funds going to a variety of small businesses across the nation. Last month, the company revealed 100 finalists, with that list now being narrowed down to just 10 winners. This year's grand prize winners included KindVR, The Cupcake Collection, Up In...
H-E-B and Central Market  credit cards

Imprint Launches Credit Cards from H-E-B and Central Market 

The FinTech Imprint is partnering with the popular Texas-based grocery chain H-E-B for a pair of new rewards credit cards. This week saw the launch of the H-E-B Visa Signature Credit Card as well as the Central Market Visa Signature Credit Card. With these two (nearly identical) options, customers will be able to earn rewards on groceries and beyond. First, both versions of the card earn up to 5% back on select...