Mortgage Blog
KC Rising report card shows the area is dropping in key metrics
The Kansas City area has a lot of work to do if it is going to surpass peer cities in the competition for economic growth.
KC Rising's latest update on efforts to boost the region's business competitiveness shows the area has lost ground on all three of its main measures — gross domestic product, number of quality jobs and median household income. The initiative compares Kansas City's standing with that of 15 cities above and 15 below it in terms of population.
The city's best ranking is in…
Omaha bank with KC presence drops NRA-branded credit card
After facing backlash from a group advocating for a reduction in gun violence in Nebraska and beyond, First National Bank of Omaha announced that it would not renew a branded credit card deal with the National Rifle Association.
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraskans Against Gun Violence asked the bank to take a stand against gun violence by ending its NRA promotions.
“If you decide to continue offering benefits to NRA members, we intend to organize a public protest of your bank and…
Form D Friday: E-commerce investor may tap robotics tech to help online shoppers
Welcome back to Form D Friday, where we sift through local regulatory filings each week to see who’s raising capital for a new project, a new investment idea, or to simply expand their business.
Form Ds don’t typically have a lot of details, but they do provide an early glimpse at what investors and business owners are planning. Where we can, we’ll track down some additional tidbits from filers. If you have any tips or comments about new fundraises, drop me a note at [email protected].
This…
Steimer Says: Hoping for optimism in Memphis
Memphis’ economy needs more hope.
The city is coming off a strong 2017: Its real estate sector is surging, and its unemployment rate remains about as low as it’s ever been.
And yet, only 42 percent of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Memphis contacts reported that they expect local economic conditions to be at least somewhat better heading into 2018 than they were in the previous year.
The same contacts expressed even lower confidence in early 2017 — pessimism that ultimately was…
How the Tax Cut and Jobs Act affect business value
A principal at accounting firm Ellin & Tucker says business owners should anticipate a 20 to 30 percent increase in business value.
IberiaBank adds two prominent Birmingham execs to local board
IberiaBank has added two new members to its Birmingham advisory board: David L. Silverstein and J. David Brown III.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of these two well-known Birmingham businessmen,” said Alex Morton, Birmingham market president for IberiaBank. “Each brings with them a wealth of knowledge and a broad network in their respective industries that will bring great value to our local board.”
Silverstein is a principal at Bayer Properties LLC, where he directs development…
Several Protective Life execs get new roles
Protective Life is making several promotions and changes involving its senior leadership.
Mike Temple has been promoted to vice chairman of finance and risk. Temple has served as executive vice president of finance and risk and chief risk officer since joining Protective Life in 2012. Temple's other responsibilities, including being parent company Dai-ichi's liaison support, will remaining the same.
Scott Adams will be executive vice president, chief digital and innovation officer. Adams, who…
UMB surpasses 1.25M HSA accounts
The significant growth of UMB Healthcare Services continues, making it an increasingly important business for its parent company UMB Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: UMBF)
UMB Healthcare Services surpassed 1.25 million health savings accounts on Jan. 31, up 26.5 percent from 988,000 at the same time a year ago. Deposits reached $2.6 billion, up 32 percent from $2 billion the previous year.
“The growth at UMB Healthcare Services has been significant this year and we are excited to be able to say, yet again,…
Intel, Adobe lead Silicon Valley stocks higher
Silicon Valley equities outperformed the broader markets Friday, buoyed by gains from the biggest tech stocks.
All 13 members of the Bloomberg Silicon Valley High Tech index closed higher on Friday.
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) led the way with a 4.2 percent bounce. Adobe Systems (NASDAQ: ADBE) followed, up 3.52 percent.
HP Inc. gained 3.46 percent, continuing its surge after strong earnings late Thursday. Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Facebook (NASDAQ: FB), eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) and Advanced…
Bitcoin pushes fintech Robinhood over new milestone
Robinhood, the Bay Area-based fintech that started out with commission-free stock trades and then moved into competitively priced margin lending, started offering commission-free trading in bitcoin and ethereum Thursday in California and four other states.
When the company said last month that it planned to expand into cryptocurrency trading, it saw more than 1 million people join a waiting list for the service. On Thursday, Robinhood said it now has more than 4 million users, making it the fastest-growing…