Monthly Archives: October 2022

Why the next wave of BNPL may be closer than you think

What went down: At an invitation-only dinner on day two of Money20/20, Dan Van Dyke, VP of financial services content at Insider Intelligence, talked about all things buy now, pay later (BNPL) with a group of executive attendees. More specifically, he posed the pertinent question: Where’s BNPL headed? The environment: It’s no secret that players in the BNPL space…

Saudi Aramco says its energy transition is not delivering and launches a $1.5 billion fund for a more ‘realistic’ plan

Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil giant is investing $1.5 billion in a new energy transition plan.  Saudi Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser said the current framework is “flawed.” The Kingdom has cautioned that the transition could take decades.  Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil giant is investing $1.5 billion in a global energy transition, while cautioning that…

In line with the BaaS trend, Marqeta introduces seven new products

The trend: Continuing the rush of big-name financial institutions entering the banking as a service (BaaS) space, global payments firm Marqeta added a suite of BaaS products to its card-issuance platform, per FinExtra. Becoming a bank: The seven products will be housed under the name Marqeta for Banking and will provide end-to-end banking services to its clients. Read the original article on Business…

I visited Salem and toured a haunted Airbnb, got a psychic reading, and met a practicing witch. It was perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit — see what it was like.

Ann Matica Ann Matica visited Salem, Massachusetts, to see what the tourism industry is like in October.  She went window shopping, explored a “haunted” house, and got her tarot cards read by a psychic.  While the crowds of people were a lot, she said Salem did help get her into the spirit of Halloween. Every…

Democratic Rep. who signed withdrawn letter on Ukraine said nobody told them it was getting released: CNN

A composite of two file photos showing Russia’s Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images A controversial letter went out without those who signed it knowing, per a Rep. who spoke to CNN. 30 progressive Democrats signed a letter urging diplomacy with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Some said…

The most popular US mortgage now costs Americans more than it has in 21 years as rates top 7%

Robert Galbraith/ Reuters The US 30-year fixed mortgage hit 7.16% in the week ending October 21, Mortgage Bankers Association data showed Wednesday.  It’s the first time the rate has topped 7% since 2001. At the same time, purchase and refinance applications dropped for the 10th time in 11 weeks, the report showed.   Rates for the…

I’m a pawnbroker. Here’s how I deal with shady customers, fakes, and the occasional boa constrictor.

A pawnshop display in Germany. Bernd Weißbrod/picture alliance via Getty Images Nick Fulton has been working in the pawnshop industry for 30 years. Pawnbrokers ask for identification as one of their safeguards against pawning stolen items. Unlike the movies, where pawn transactions can be quick, you may have to be patient during yours. This as-told-to…