Podcasts about American Bankers Association

Hello, and welcome to episode 154 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week's edition looks at global developments in financial crime enforcement, sanctions, and regulatory updates. We explore the Yemen International Bank's response to US sanctions, new measures targeting Iranian LPG facilitators, and adjustments to UK sanctions on Syria. Additionally, we look at the evolving landscape of anti-money laundering compliance, including responses from the American Bankers Association and the Institute of International Finance to the FATF's proposed reforms. Fraud remains a critical concern, with fresh insights into identity fraud risks, SEC actions against crypto-related schemes, and new legislative moves tackling cybercrime and financial fraud in the UK. We also highlight the latest trends in bribery, corruption, and market abuse—including China's crackdown on a senior anti-corruption official, Germany's financial sector enforcement, and the UK Serious Fraud Office's new self-reporting framework. Finally, we assess cybersecurity risks, legislative shifts on SIM farms, and broader regulatory efforts aimed at reinforcing financial integrity worldwide. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Send us a textKeith Leggett is a name that used to provoke cursing by usually mild mannered credit union executives - and so here he is again in a CU 2.0 Golden Oldies podcast.Leggett has retired from the American Bankers Association, where he was chief economist, and he also has put -30- on his Credit Union Watch blog but this show from the archives is well worth a listen in 2025 because it focuses on credit union - bank mergers and also on credit union tax exemption.  Two issues that are even bigger headlines now.In the show we discuss Maine Harvest, an innovative credit union idea that alas merged with Five County Credit Union in 2022.Listen up.

Are you thinking big enough about your retirement? You'll have time for the things you always wanted to do but didn't have time for in your full-time working years. With a blank canvas to work with, what are the meaningful personal goals you'd like to pursue now? How you start can make the difference. Caroline Adams Miller joins us to discuss her new book Big Goals: The Science of Setting Them, Achieving Them, and Creating Your Best Life  and how you can use a research-backed method to set challenging but attainable goals - and make this year your best year. Caroline Adams Miller joins us from Maryland. ________________________ Bio Caroline Adams Miller is a globally renowned expert in positive psychology, with a special focus on goals and grit. For over 30 years, she has been a trailblazer in advancing these fields, helping individuals and organizations reach their most ambitious goals and improve overall well- being. She was among the first to earn a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, a program pioneered by Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology. Caroline also graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, laying the groundwork for her future achievements in psychology and personal development. She is a black-belt martial artist and a Masters swimmer. Caroline is the author of nine influential books, including:  My Name is Caroline (Doubleday 1988, Gurze 2000, Cogent 2014), a pioneering recovery memoir that has given hope to countless individuals battling eating disorders. •    Getting Grit (SoundsTrue 2017), which explores the science of perseverance and was recognized as one of the “top ten books that will change your life” in 2017 and one of the “top 25 books that will help you find your purpose” in 2023. •    Creating Your Best Life (Sterling 2009, 2021), a #1-ranked book on goal-setting that combines the science of success with research on happiness and was the first mass-market book to bridge these fields using Locke and Latham's goal- setting theory. •    Big Goals (Wiley, 2024), which offers an accessible, updated framework for achieving significant goals, incorporating modern research on mindset, grit, artificial intelligence, and resilience. It provides practical strategies for both personal and organizational success, grounded in 15 years of new research in positive psychology. This book is destined to change the way people view goalsetting and has been selected as a must-read for The Next Big Idea Club. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian, reaching a global audience. Caroline's impact on positive psychology has earned widespread recognition. Dr. Martin Seligman highlighted her work in Flourish, and Angela Duckworth, a leading researcher on grit, praised Caroline's profound insights and practical applications of grit research, saying, “No one has thought more than Caroline about how to apply the scientific research on grit and achievement to our own lives!” A sought-after speaker, Caroline has presented at prestigious venues such as Wharton Business School's Executive Education program and delivered a TEDx talk titled “The Moments That Make Champions,” resonating with audiences worldwide. Her work has been featured in major media outlets like BBC World News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, and CNN. She has consulted with high-profile clients, including Morgan Stanley, lululemon, Coldwell Banker, American Bankers Association, Blizzard Entertainment, RE/MAX, Booz Allen, Harvard Law School, The World Bank, and Swisse Wellness, helping them pursue ambitious goals and create environments that foster success and well-being. Caroline's memoir My Name is Caroline details her personal journey of overcoming bulimia and demonstrates her belief in the power of grit an...

This Week on The Heart of Giving: Join Art Taylor in conversation with Lindsay Torrico, Senior VP of Bank Community Engagement at the American Bankers Association and Executive Director of the ABA Foundation. Lindsay shares her vision for transforming how banks engage with communities and drive economic mobility. Three standout moments: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu" - Lindsay on why nonprofits must engage in policy discussions to create large-scale impact. "When our communities are strong, our banks are strong... it's reframing how we think about this work that's not just about giving to a few, but how are we investing in our communities in a way that we all can be effective businesses as well." "We want to make sure that they're sustainable in home ownership... it's going to take a multifaceted approach" - On addressing the housing crisis through innovative solutions and partnerships. Did you catch last week's inspiring conversation with Ana Federica Convit? She shared her remarkable journey from banking to leading cancer research initiatives in Venezuela, continuing her grandfather's century-long legacy of providing accessible healthcare to vulnerable populations. If you haven't listened yet, it's a must-hear story of purpose and impact. New episodes every Tuesday on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms. Support the show at give.org.

Stay tuned for a new show from the American Bankers Association. Hosted by cybersecurity and anti-fraud leader Paul Benda, the ABA Fraudcast will bring you expert insights, tools and strategies to help fight fraud every two weeks.

This Day in Legal History: Terry Nichols ConvictedOn December 23, 1997, Terry Nichols was convicted of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and eight counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. This devastating attack, orchestrated with Timothy McVeigh, targeted the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more. The bombing was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time. Nichols, who played a critical role in the attack by helping McVeigh acquire and prepare the bomb materials, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. McVeigh, the primary perpetrator, had already been convicted earlier that year on June 2 and was sentenced to death. Nichols' trial, however, focused more on his involvement as an accomplice, leading to a conviction that avoided the death penalty. The two trials revealed the intricacies of their plot, rooted in anti-government ideologies and resentment over events such as the Waco siege and Ruby Ridge standoff. The bombing's aftermath led to significant legal and policy changes, including the enactment of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which aimed to streamline federal appeals in death penalty cases and enhance law enforcement's ability to combat terrorism. Nichols' conviction underscored the gravity of conspiratorial roles in acts of terror, even when not directly carrying out the attack. The legal proceedings surrounding the Oklahoma City bombing remain pivotal in understanding the U.S. response to domestic terrorism. Nichols' case highlighted the critical balance between achieving justice and addressing the broader ideological threats behind such acts. President Joe Biden signed a funding bill that prevents a government shutdown and keeps federal operations running through March 14, 2025. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in the Senate (85-11) and the House after earlier proposals faltered under pressure from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The funding package includes over $100 billion for disaster relief and farmers, according to the White House. Preparations for a potential shutdown had begun, with federal workers warned of possible furloughs, though critical services like law enforcement and air traffic control would have continued without pay. The funding negotiations highlighted Trump's influence over the Republican Party, as his opposition derailed an earlier bipartisan agreement brokered by House Speaker Mike Johnson. A Trump-backed proposal to waive or raise the debt ceiling also failed due to opposition from conservative Republicans.Musk's endorsement of the final deal gave Johnson a much-needed boost, though the speaker faces ongoing challenges, including a potential leadership fight when the House reconvenes in January.US Congress Sends Spending Deal to Biden on Brink of DeadlineRudy Giuliani urged a federal court to dismiss attempts by Georgia poll workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea' Moss to impose sanctions or hold him in contempt for allegedly obstructing trial preparations. The workers, who won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani, claim he has ignored court orders to produce financial documents, risking further legal consequences. Giuliani denied deliberately withholding information, stating in a declaration that any missing documents were not intentionally concealed.The upcoming January 16 trial will determine whether Giuliani's Palm Beach condo and other assets, including three World Series rings, can be seized to satisfy the judgment. Giuliani, who filed for bankruptcy in 2023 after the defamation ruling, lost significant assets, including his Manhattan apartment and a Mercedes-Benz, due to his ongoing financial troubles. Giuliani's attorney argued that the litigation is politically motivated and vowed to defend him against what they describe as efforts to ruin his reputation. The poll workers, represented by multiple prominent law firms, have not commented publicly on Giuliani's recent filing.Rudy Giuliani Pushes Back on Poll Workers' Call for SanctionsGoogle proposed adjustments to its agreements with Apple and other partners to reduce its dominance in online search, following a U.S. court ruling that it holds an illegal monopoly. The company suggested making its search engine agreements non-exclusive and unbundling its Play Store from Chrome and search for Android devices. Google also offered to allow browser developers to reconsider default search engine settings annually, but it did not agree to end revenue-sharing deals with partners, which remain a key source of funding for companies like Mozilla and Apple.The U.S. government seeks more sweeping remedies, such as stopping Google from paying to be the default search engine and requiring the company to license its search technology to competitors. Prosecutors argue that Google's dominance stifles innovation and competition, particularly as search technologies evolve with artificial intelligence. Google plans to appeal the ruling but emphasized caution in imposing remedies that could harm innovation. The government aims to show the need for broader measures at a trial scheduled for April 2025, where it will call witnesses from OpenAI, Microsoft, and others to support its case.Google offers to loosen search deals in US antitrust case remedy | ReutersA federal judge has temporarily blocked Illinois' law prohibiting swipe fees on retail taxes and tips from applying to national banks, though the restriction remains in effect for payment card networks like Visa and Mastercard. The Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was challenged by the American Bankers Association and other banking groups, who argued that federal law preempts state regulations for national banks. US District Judge Virginia M. Kendall agreed, issuing a preliminary injunction to exempt national banks while the case proceeds. The ruling reflects ongoing legal tensions between state financial regulations and federal preemption for nationally chartered banks. For now, payment card networks remain subject to the Illinois law's restrictions.Banks Get Temporary Pause on Illinois Swipe Fee Restrictions (3)Luigi Mangione, charged with killing UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, faces both state terrorism and murder charges, marking a significant legal strategy. Prosecutors allege that Mangione's actions, including the brazen December 4 shooting, were intended to intimidate and coerce the public and influence policy, thus justifying the terrorism charge. If convicted on state charges, Mangione could face life in prison without parole. The decision to classify the killing as an act of terrorism, rather than solely as murder, underscores its broader societal implications. It reflects the legal view that the crime was aimed at instilling fear or advancing an agenda against the healthcare industry. Authorities cited evidence, including a notebook found at Mangione's arrest, with entries expressing hostility toward wealthy executives and the insurance sector, and outlining plans to target Thompson.Mangione also faces federal charges for stalking and killing Thompson, which could result in the death penalty if pursued by prosecutors. The parallel state and federal cases involve different legal theories, with state prosecutors focusing on societal intimidation and federal authorities emphasizing the personal targeting of Thompson. Charging Mangione with terrorism amplifies the gravity of the crime and sets a precedent for how similar cases tied to ideological motives may be prosecuted in the future.Suspect in UnitedHealth CEO's killing faces terrorism charges in New York | Reuters This is a public episode. 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The U.S. election could change the legislative, supervisory and regulatory framework for the banking industry. In the episode, we discuss what different election outcomes could mean for banks with three guests focused on policy, regulation and rulemaking: Paul Merski, executive vice president, congressional relations and strategy at the Independent Community Bankers of America; Naomi Camper, chief policy officer at the American Bankers Association; and Isaac Boltansky, managing director and director of policy research at BTIG. The group outlined the current regulatory framework under the Biden administration and how it has differed from the Trump administration. The panelists agreed that a Harris presidency could be seen as a continuation of the existing regulatory framework and noted that a Trump victory could lead to significant regulatory shifts, particularly around consumer issues, fintech and bank M&A activity. But, they also noted that both candidates have shared populist views, creating a horseshoe effect of the ideological specturm.

John Asbury didn't need a new job in 2016, but when he saw an opportunity build something lost in the 1990s — what he calls “the great Virginia regional bank” — he took it. Eight years later, Richmond-based Atlantic Union Bank has more than tripled in size and is on track to reach nearly $40 billion in assets after completion of an announced acquisition of Sandy Spring Bank. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Alkami — AUB CEO Asbury talks about the transformation of the bank. He also discusses his agenda as the newly elected chair of the American Bankers Association, including advocating to remove arbitrary asset thresholds that distort banks' strategic growth plans, his approach to leadership development at the bank and his commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Paul Benda, Senior Vice President of Operational Risk and Cybersecurity for the American Bankers Association, joins Megan Lynch and Tom Ackerman warning against scams targeting bank accounts. Their motto, "banks never ask that".

In today's podcast, which repurposes a recent webinar, we examine the impact, if any, of a landmark opinion rendered by Judge Daniel Domenico of the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado in a case challenging recently enacted Colorado legislation on interstate loans made from outside Colorado to Colorado residents. We also address the effects this decision and the outcome of this litigation may have on interstate rate exportation by state-chartered banks across the country. We open with a brief history of the interest rate exportation authority of national and state-chartered banks, and theories developed by opponents to attack those exportation powers. Next, we turn to a discussion of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 (DIDMCA), the federal legislation adopted to create competitive equality between state-chartered banks and national banks by giving state banks the ability to export the interest rates and late fees allowed by the laws of the state where the bank is located, notwithstanding interest rate and late fee limitations imposed by the borrower's state. We then focus on the “opt-out rights” conferred on states under Section 525 of DIDMCA, and states that have attempted to exercise (or broaden) this right, including Colorado's recent adoption of an opt-out statute. We then delve into the details of the current court challenge to the Colorado opt-out statute, including a close examination of the statute itself, the state's enforcement position, and the complaint filed by the plaintiff trade associations seeking to strike down the statute. We review the briefs filed and oral arguments made, including amicus briefs filed by the FDIC, supporting the state, and by the American Bankers Association and Consumer Bankers Association, supporting the plaintiffs (the latter of which was submitted on behalf of these amici by Ballard Spahr, LLP). We point out that the position taken by the FDIC in its amicus brief is the exact opposite of the position taken by the FDIC in 1991 in the Greenwood Trust Company v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts case in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals regarding a Massachusetts opt-out statute. In that case, the FDIC agreed with Greenwood, a Delaware state-chartered bank, that the Massachusetts opt-out statute had no effect on the power of a state-chartered, FDIC-insured bank like Greenwood to charge Massachusetts credit card holders the “interest” permitted by Delaware law. The FDIC never acknowledged or explained this flip-flop in its amicus brief filed or during oral argument in the Colorado statute. We proceed with an in-depth discussion of the thorough and thoughtful opinion issued by Judge Domenico granting the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction preventing Colorado from enforcing its opt-out statute against their members not located in Colorado who are making loans to Colorado residents from outside Colorado, pending the outcome of the litigation, holding that the plaintiffs are substantially likely to succeed on the merits. This order is currently on appeal in the Tenth Circuit and is in the process of being briefed. We then conclude with thoughts about the potential effect of the Colorado litigation on Iowa's opt-out statute, in place since 1980, a survey of opt-out legislation pending in other states, and how the Colorado litigation might affect the future of opt-out laws in these and other states. Alan Kaplinsky, former Practice Leader and Senior Counsel in Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group, moderates today's episode, and is joined by Burt Rublin, Joseph Schuster, and Ron Vaske, Partners in the Group, and Kristen Larson, Of Counsel in the Group.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson reminds us that another round of Agricultural Road Improvement dollars are available. FMMO decisions have yet to be finalized. And regional policy meetings are underway. Mid-West Farm Report and the Wisconsin Association of Fairs are teaming up to collect your fair story. You could win $500. Submit your story today at midwestfarmreport.com. With Labor Day behind us, school is in session. Charitee Seebecker takes us to North Crawford School District. In response to pandemic-related food supply disruptions, the district has successfully transitioned to using local beef and produce. Ed Elfmann with the American Bankers Association says there's a bill in Congress that could lower interest rates for rural residents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed Elfmann with the American Bankers Association, says the ACRE Act would help lower lending costs for farmers, ranchers, and rural residents. The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival highlights a heritage breed for the first time and is excited to celebrate a milestone with the Crook & Whistle Sheep Dog Trials. Ben Jarboe takes us to a hemp plot in Arlington with UW Researcher Phillip Alberti. Ben will also cover the Stockmanship and Stewardship Workshop in Lancaster. Wisconsin Beef Council's Tammy Vassen says this is a big deal for our state. Ryan Yonkman with Ever.Ag says after a tough start to 2024, dairy producers are seeing price support expected to last into 2025. This is thanks to a tight supply walking into a high-demand season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, we talk farm transition planning with Tim Cobb, the owner and president of Farmland Company. Then, Harvest Safety Week is coming up and we'll tell you how you can sharpen your awareness with some special resources. Also, some key USDA grain projections are out and we get some important context from University of Illinois economist Joe Janzen. And, the American Bankers Association is pushing for the passage of the ACRE Act. Find out why, and what, it could mean for the future of farm lending. Then, the issue of liver flukes in cattle doesn't seem to be going away. We'll tell you what you need to be on the lookout for. We also tell you about some groundbreaking research that could keep calves out of harm's way in extreme hot weather. In our “Meat Monitor” segment, we take a look at U.S. red meat exports for the first half of 2024. In “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz says don't jump to conclusions if you see blue smoke coming from the tailpipe of your automatic transmission farm truck. The episode also includes the music of Clarksville Creative Sound recording artist Austin McKedy. Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 Tim Cobb, Farmland Company: 6:33 Jess McCluer, National Grain and Feed Association: 8:33 Joe Janzen, University of Illinois: 11:26 Ed Elfmann, American Bankers Association: 13:38 Dr. Jody Wade, Boehringer Ingelheim: 15:15 Grace Larsen, University of Wisconsin: 17:44 Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation: 22:24 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 24:50 Austin McKedy: 26:24

ABA says that the ACRES Act would provide more competition and lower producer costs.

In the United States, 80 percent of banks have agriculture in their portfolio. And these banks are hoping to get a bill through Congress to give them some tax relief in order to lower costs for their rural customers. Ed Elfmann, senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking policy for the American Bankers Association, says the “ACRE Act” would help lower lending costs for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It would do this by removing the taxation on income that's earned from interest on agricultural real-estate loans, and for loans for rural residences in a population area of less than 2,500 people with a mortgage value of less than $750,000.  By removing this taxation, Elfmann says, banks would be able to lower their interest rates -- which would then help lower costs for borrowers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Csobaji has been in the Pension and Retirement Plan industry since 2000. He holds a B.A. from Denison University, a master's degree in management from Marymount University, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Georgetown University. His career includes roles at T. Rowe Price, PNC Bank, Charles Schwab Retirement Plan Services, TIAA, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where he managed various Employer Benefit Plans. Steve has advised clients at all levels, from C-Suite to rank-and-file employees. Currently, Steve manages Quest's Dallas office and works on the sales team, specializing in Self-Directed IRAs and tax-advantaged accounts like Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, and Health Savings Accounts. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences nationwide. His clients invest in a range of private assets, including real estate, private entities, and promissory notes. Steve recently earned the Certified IRA Services Professional title from the American Bankers Association. To get in touch with Steve, reach out to him on this toll-free number: 855-FUN-IRAS Keeping it Real Estate is brought to you by Granite Towers Equity Group, helping investors create passive income through multifamily real estate. To get in touch with the founders of Granite Towers, Mike Roeder and Dan Brisse, visit https://www.granitetowersequitygroup.com/contact

The University of Idaho and Idaho State University have introduced the new Potato State Trophy awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the schools, and the American Bankers Association offered its views on the financial conditions in farm country.

The University of Idaho and Idaho State University have introduced the new Potato State Trophy awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the schools, and the American Bankers Association offered its views on the financial conditions in farm country.

Southeast nature enthusiasts, gardeners and residents are gearing up for the 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Census, and the American Bankers Association offered its views on the financial conditions in farm country.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor talks about issues involving the EPA, Z45, and Michigan's budget cutting out E15 incentives. Ed Elfmann is the senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking at the American Bankers Association and he joins us to the participation of ABA at the recent House Ag Committee hearing. Plus a new episode of the Soy Checkoff Check-in with USB CEO Lucas Lentsch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lindsay Torrico left an incredibly successful career in community development, grassroots mobilization, and public policy, advocating on the Hill in DC when she became disillusioned with the policy process and the politics. Now, as Senior VP of Bank Community Engagement at American Bankers Association & Executive Director of ABA Foundation she helps banks to put community at the front of their corporate social responsibility strategies. And she couldn't be happier. The lesson she's maintained through it all is one her grandmother taught her — to ensure she has harmony in all the roles she plays in her life, from professional to personal. Lindsay recognizes when all this is in alignment, that's when she can really achieve fulfillment and success and have her own whole damn pie. Hit play for the full story. If you enjoy listening, be sure to follow us so you're the first to know when we add new episodes. While you're there, please leave us a review — we'd really appreciate it. 

This Day in Legal History: House Un-American Activities Committee Probes HollywoodOn May 29, 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) began its infamous investigation into communist influence in the Hollywood film industry. This marked the start of a series of public hearings aimed at identifying and eliminating alleged communist subversion in American cultural institutions. The HUAC's probe into Hollywood was driven by the fear that communist ideology was being subtly propagated through films and entertainment, which were seen as powerful tools for shaping public opinion.The investigation led to the subpoena of numerous writers, directors, and actors, many of whom were questioned about their political beliefs and associations. The most notable outcome of these hearings was the creation of the "Hollywood Ten," a group of screenwriters and directors who refused to answer the committee's questions, citing their First Amendment rights. These individuals were subsequently blacklisted by the industry, effectively ending their careers in Hollywood.The HUAC hearings had a chilling effect on the film industry, leading to widespread censorship and self-policing by studios to avoid further scrutiny. This period is often remembered as a dark chapter in American history, reflecting the intense paranoia and political repression of the early Cold War era. The Hollywood blacklist persisted for many years, and its repercussions were felt long after the initial hearings concluded.The HUAC's actions in 1947 set a precedent for future investigations into alleged subversive activities, influencing American political and cultural landscapes for decades. This event underscores the tension between national security concerns and the protection of civil liberties, a balance that continues to be a contentious issue in modern times. The Hollywood probe by HUAC remains a significant example of how fear and suspicion can lead to widespread violation of individual rights and freedoms.PwC has become the first reseller of OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise, aimed at business use, marking a significant step in the adoption of AI tools in the corporate world. This agreement will also make PwC the largest user of this AI product. The deal is part of a broader trend among Big Four accounting firms, which are increasingly incorporating AI into their services. PwC had previously announced a $1 billion investment over three years to integrate AI into its operations, enhancing the efficiency of tasks such as auditing and tax accounting.Joe Atkinson, PwC's chief products and technology officer, highlighted that the firm's experience with AI will help them effectively market these tools to clients, offering significant advantages over traditional methods. PwC's substantial deployment of ChatGPT Enterprise will set it apart in the market, as the firm aims to lead clients through their AI adoption journey. As of now, PwC's largest clients are already engaging with generative AI for various functions, including marketing and customer service, utilizing advanced AI capabilities that surpass traditional chatbots. The rest of the Big Four firms—Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG—are also making substantial investments in AI, forming partnerships with major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM to enhance their services.PwC First to Resell OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise to ClientsYesterday, May 28, 2024, a federal judge in Texas transferred a lawsuit challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) rule on credit card late fees to Washington, D.C. This decision marks the second time U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman has moved the case from his court in Fort Worth, following a federal appeals court's recent decision to relinquish jurisdiction. The CFPB seeks to defend a rule capping credit card late fees at $8, a key component of President Joe Biden's administration's effort to combat "junk fees."The transfer to Washington, D.C. could benefit the CFPB, as it is now in a jurisdiction where the agency is based. This case involves major plaintiffs, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Bankers Association, who are challenging the rule. The CFPB has argued that the rule is necessary, citing that credit card issuers collected over $14 billion in late fees in 2022, with an average fee of $32.Judge Pittman, a Trump appointee, previously blocked the rule from taking effect, basing his decision on a 2022 ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which found the CFPB's funding structure unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court overturned this ruling on May 16. The CFPB plans to seek the removal of Pittman's injunction, although the plaintiffs have other arguments to prevent the rule from being enforced. The transfer is seen as a strategic move to place the case in a more favorable venue for the CFPB.Texas judge again transfers lawsuit over card late fee rule to Washington, D.C. | ReutersIllinois is on the verge of implementing a progressive tax structure on sports wagering, which could see tax rates as high as 40%. The Illinois General Assembly has passed an amendment to a bill that introduces a graduated tax rate for sports wagering receipts. Businesses with sports wagering receipts between $30 million and $50 million will face a minimum tax rate of 20%, while those with receipts exceeding $200 million will be taxed at the maximum rate of 40%.This progressive tax structure is a pioneering approach in the sports betting industry and could serve as a model for other states considering the legalization and taxation of sports betting. Illinois aims to maximize state revenue from this rapidly growing industry without stifling its competitiveness. The state's approach balances the need for significant tax income with maintaining a healthy market.Illinois's model contrasts with other states like New York, which has a flat 51% tax on gross gaming revenues. Illinois's graduated system introduces a level of progressivity, that is higher rates for entities with higher revenues, potentially influencing other states to adopt similar frameworks. For instance, New Jersey is considering raising its sports betting taxes to a uniform 30%, it remains to be seen if the Garden State may consider an Illinois-style graduated rate system. Revenue from vice taxes, including those on gambling, is crucial for states facing budget deficits. However, it's essential that the revenue generated from such taxes be allocated effectively to offset the social costs associated with these activities. In the case of sports wagering, funds should support public health initiatives, addiction treatment programs, and educational campaigns.Illinois's progressive tax on sports wagering aims to balance industry growth with regulation. If the revenue is used appropriately, Illinois could become a comprehensive model for other states to follow, focusing not only on revenue potential but also on mitigating the larger social impacts of increased sports betting.Illinois Eyeing Sports Wagering Tax Up To 40%In my column this week, I address the urgent need for a proactive approach to combat biofuel tax credit fraud. A recent audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration highlighted significant flaws in the administration of these credits, revealing that many are awarded without proper documentation. This system's reactive nature allows fraud to flourish, as the IRS can only issue deficiency notices after fraudulent claims are filed.Biofuel tax credits, intended to promote renewable fuel production and use, have been a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy since 2004. However, the current law's limitations prevent the IRS from denying credits at the time of filing, enabling schemes that exploit information delays. To combat this, the IRS should be given the authority to enforce registration requirements and deny non-compliant claims proactively.Implementing a track-and-trace system could also help by uniquely identifying and tracking each gallon of biofuel through its production and distribution journey. This would create multiple checkpoints, making it challenging for fraudsters to repeatedly claim credits on the same fuel.Past fraud cases, such as the Washakie biodiesel fraud and schemes involving Gen-X Energy Group, illustrate how easy it is to exploit the system. Fraudsters cycle biofuel between refineries and distribution points, claiming new credits each time, or recycle biodiesel back into feedstock to produce more biodiesel for additional credits.The IRS is currently hampered by Section 4101 of the tax code, which allows taxpayers to claim credits without meeting registration requirements. This loophole leaves the IRS to address fraud only after it has occurred, often too late to recover lost funds.A track-and-trace system, used successfully in other industries, could ensure that each gallon of biofuel is tracked from refinement to consumption, making it harder for fraudulent activities to go unnoticed. By assigning unique identifiers and logging each step in a database, this system would create an auditable chain of custody.Addressing these vulnerabilities requires legislative action to empower the IRS to deny fraudulent claims at the point of filing. Strengthening enforcement capabilities and closing existing loopholes will help safeguard the integrity of biofuel tax credits and ensure they serve their intended purpose.To Combat Biofuel Tax Credit Fraud, We Need a Proactive Approach Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

This Day in Legal History: Unsinkable SinksOn this day in legal history, April 15 marks the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, a maritime disaster that led to significant legal repercussions. After striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic, the Titanic sank, resulting in the loss of over 1,500 lives out of the 2,228 passengers and crew aboard. This tragedy not only devastated families but also precipitated a flurry of lawsuits against the White Star Line, the ship's owners. The legal battles focused on issues of negligence and inadequate safety measures, such as the insufficient number of lifeboats on board. These lawsuits were filed in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States and Britain, challenging the existing maritime laws and pushing for reforms. The aftermath of the Titanic disaster significantly influenced maritime safety regulations, leading to the establishment of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) in 1914. This pivotal moment in legal history underscored the necessity for stringent safety standards and legal accountability in maritime operations.A recent court decision in New York has raised concerns among Wall Street's major players, suggesting that this ruling could dramatically alter the process of underwriting stock offerings. The appeals court has permitted ViacomCBS Inc. investors to proceed with their lawsuit against prominent banks like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Wells Fargo & Co. This legal action challenges the banks on the grounds of alleged undisclosed conflicts of interest during the media company's stock offerings, specifically scrutinizing the internal firewalls that should prevent the exchange of sensitive information between different divisions within the banks.Legal experts, including Andrew Vollmer of the Mercatus Center, argue that this case may blur the banks' obligations to disclose potential conflicts, particularly their own trading activities during such offerings. The traditional focus of offering documents might shift, increasing the burden on banks to disclose more about their activities rather than just the issuer's details. The litigation stems from the banks' actions surrounding the Archegos Capital Management collapse, where they allegedly sold off Viacom stock to mitigate losses, directly impacting the stock's value and causing significant investor losses.The banks are now positioned to further appeal the decision, which upheld the initial ruling allowing the case to proceed. The lawsuit claims that the banks failed to disclose that their investment bankers were preparing to sell off Viacom stock even as they helped launch the stock on the market. The court's recent acknowledgment doesn't dismiss the possibility of existing ethical barriers, suggesting that the banks might have a defense if they can demonstrate that these firewalls were effective.Legal scholars and industry groups, including the American Bankers Association, express concern that the ruling imposes new disclosure obligations that exceed current SEC requirements, potentially disrupting established legal and regulatory frameworks. They fear that this could lead to a significant shift in how underwriters manage and disclose potential conflicts of interest. However, others, like Columbia Law School professor John Coffee, believe the ruling aligns with the essence of underwriters' responsibilities and does not foresee the drastic changes that some predict.Overall, the unfolding legal battle could redefine the transparency required in stock offerings and test the robustness of internal controls within banks, with far-reaching implications for the financial industry's operation and regulatory landscape.Big Banks' Underwriting Firewalls at Risk in Archegos-Tied SuitThe Supreme Court is set to deliberate on the implications of using a post-Enron statute, originally intended to curb evidence destruction, against defendants from the January 6th Capitol riot. This legal examination stems from concerns that the Justice Department may have stretched the statute's application, applying it to actions such as the Capitol breach, which resulted in a potential 20-year sentence for some. Critics, including those defending the accused, argue that this statute is being misapplied, citing past cases where the Supreme Court has sided against overextended prosecutorial interpretations, notably in cases unrelated to financial crimes.The law under scrutiny was designed to prevent obstruction of "official proceedings" and was enacted following financial scandals to discourage the destruction of corporate evidence. However, approximately one-quarter of the January 6 defendants were charged under this provision, sparking debate over its relevance to the riot's context. Proponents of the defendants argue that the law's origins tied to financial misconduct make its application to the Capitol riot inappropriate and overly punitive.On the other hand, supporters of the prosecution contend that the statute's broad wording intentionally encompasses a wide range of obstructive actions, including those committed during the Capitol riot. They emphasize that the statute's language about corruptly obstructing or impeding any official proceeding should be taken at face value, aligning with textualist judicial philosophy, which prioritizes the statute's text over the legislative history or intent.The case, which involves former Boston police officer Joseph Fischer among others, has attracted considerable attention, with various legal scholars and groups submitting amicus briefs. These briefs reflect the deep divide over the interpretation of federal laws and the scope of prosecutorial discretion. The upcoming arguments in the Supreme Court will likely focus on whether the actions of January 6 defendants fall within the intended scope of the law and the broader implications of this interpretation on legal standards for obstructing official proceedings.The decision could have significant implications for how broadly laws are interpreted and applied, especially in cases of national significance involving public and political actions. The Supreme Court's ruling will also test the balance between preventing prosecutorial overreach and ensuring accountability for acts that threaten governmental processes.Jan. 6 Case Pulls Conservative Supreme Court in Two DirectionsAt a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump criticized the judge presiding over his upcoming criminal trial, which is set to begin in Manhattan. This trial involves allegations related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Trump accused Justice Juan Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of political bias, a sentiment he has expressed previously. He referred to Judge Merchan as "crooked" and complained about a gag order that restricts his public statements about the case, extending even to comments about Merchan's family.Trump's remarks came during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. He also briefly mentioned international issues, claiming that the recent Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israel would not have occurred under his presidency. The timing of his Pennsylvania rally aligns with President Joe Biden's planned visits to the state, highlighting its significance in the 2024 election. Biden, who narrowly won Pennsylvania in 2020, will be speaking about tax reform in his hometown of Scranton and other locations.The former president's visit targeted key areas in Pennsylvania, including Northampton County, a critical bellwether that Biden flipped in the previous election. Trump also attended a fundraiser in Bucks County, another pivotal region, before his rally. During his speech, he endorsed Republican Dave McCormick for the U.S. Senate, despite their occasionally complex relationship. The state's changing demographics and voter registration trends, particularly among rural and blue-collar voters, may influence upcoming electoral outcomes.Trump, in Pennsylvania, attacks judge as first criminal trial looms | Reuters Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

On March 5, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a Final Rule that would significantly restrict late fees that consumer credit card issuers may charge to a mere $8—representing approximately a 75% reduction from current levels. Within two days, the Final Rule faced a challenge in the Northern District of Texas by a coalition of trade groups including the United States Chamber of Commerce, the American Bankers Association, and the Consumer Bankers Association. The challenge seeks to invalidate the Final Rule on several constitutional, procedural, and substantive bases, as well as a temporary stay of the rule's enforcement while the suit is litigated. Please join Mayer Brown attorneys Eric Mitzenmacher, Jan Stewart, and Joy Tsai as they discuss the rulemaking, the challenges it faces in litigation, and implications for card issuers and secondary market participants.

Let's elevate your apprehension about using retirement accounts in real estate investing with this year's second guest, Dmitriy Fomichenko.Dmitriy will expound on things we need to know about solo 401(k), self-directed IRA, their limitations, and capabilities for real estate. This highly informative conversation will surely be worth your time, so listen until the end of the episode and fortify your financial knowledge!Key Points & Relevant TopicsDmitriy's background and his story as an immigrant from RussiaSense Financial Services, LLC: How it works and the options it provides for its clientsHow does a self-directed IRA work?Transactions prohibited and limitations in utilizing a self-directed IRAWhat is a non-recourse loanIs it possible to use retirement accounts to fix and flip an investment property?How to stay compliant with the IRS in terms of doing transactions within a retirement accountWho is qualified to establish a solo 401(k) and the advantages of setting it up?Resources & LinksApartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive InvestorAbout Dmitriy FomichenkoDmitriy Fomichenko is the founder and president of Sense Financial Services LLC, a boutique financial firm specializing in self-directed retirement accounts with checkbook control.  He began his career in financial planning and real estate investing in 2000. He owns multiple investment properties in various states and is a licensed California Real Estate Broker. Dmitriy holds a designation of Certified IRA Services Professional from the American Bankers Association. Over the years, he has taught hundreds of investment and financial planning seminars and has mentored thousands of investors. Get in Touch with DmitriyWebsite: Sense Financial Services, LLCLinkedIn: Dmitriy Fomichenko CISPFacebook: Dmitriy FomichenkoInstagram: @dmitriyfomichenkoBiggerPockets: Dmitriy FomichenkoTo Connect With UsPlease visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

In a shocking revelation, United States Senators Roger Marshall and Elizabeth Warren have reportedly sought assistance from major banks in crafting their contentious anti-crypto bill, the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act. The admission of collaboration with the American Bankers Association (ABA) raises questions about the motivations behind the bill and its potential implications for the crypto industry.~This episode is sponsored by Tangem~Tangem ➜ https://bit.ly/TangemPBNUse code: "PBN" for additional discounts!00:00 Intro00:17 Sponsor: Tangem Wallet00:46 Senator Roger Marshall02:15 Who wrote the bill?03:07 American Bankers Association03:36 Bill Sponsors04:05 Chamber of Digital Commerce response05:26 Lobbyists05:47 AARP06:01 FTC Never Mentions Crypto06:24 Bank scams surpass crypto07:07 American Bankers Association on real scams07:53 Wells Fargo vs Elderly09:42 Wells Fargo scammed everyone twice this year11:00 Elizabeth Warren = Apple Google11:35 2023 Coinbase Fine Comparison12:19 Elizabeth Warren fact checked12:51 Cody Carbone: Surprise Bill Passes13:57 Cody: F.I.T. & Stablecoin Bills Vote Dates15:40 Outro#Crypto #Bitcoin #Ethereum~Elizabeth Warren Joins Wells Fargo!

Senator Roger Marshal admits that he and Elizabeth Warren, in conjuction with the American Bankers Association, crafted the defacto ban of Bitcoin custody in the United States SPONSORS ► Passport by Foundation: https://www.foundationdevices.com/simply ► Swan: https://www.swan.com/simply ► Kaboomracks: https://www.kaboomracks.com ► Stamp Seed: https://www.stampseed.com PROMO CODE: SIMPLY for a 15% discount BITCOIN CONFRENCE DISCOUNTS ► Bitcoin 2024: https://b.tc/conference/2024  PROMO CODE: SIMPLY for discount on your tickets! FOLLOW US ► https://twitter.com/SimplyBitcoinTV ► https://twitter.com/BITVOLT7 ► https://twitter.com/Optimistfields ► Nostr: npub1vzjukpr2vrxqg2m9q3a996gpzx8qktg82vnl9jlxp7a9yawnwxfsqnx9gc JOIN OUR TELEGRAM, GIVE US A MEME TO REVIEW! ►https://t.me/SimplyBitcoinTV SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE ►https://bit.ly/3QbgqTQ SUPPORT US ► On-Chain: bc1qpm5j7wsnk46l2ukgpm7w3deesx2mdrzcgun6ms ►Lightning: simplybitcoin@walletofsatoshi.com  #bitcoin #bitcoinnews #simplybitcoin DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the views of any of our guests or sponsors. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have a problem with the use of said material, please contact Simply Bitcoin.

Peter Cook, Chief Communications Officer at the American Bankers Association, shares how his team serves as the voice of the banking industry in Washington and the challenge of representing banks of all sizes. He explains his range of responsibilities at ABA, how he applies his journalism background to his job, and the importance of data in reaching a skeptical public.

Agriculture stakeholders had hoped to get a new federal farm bill written and passed in 2023. While that didn't happen, United States President Joe Biden did sign a one-year extension that includes funding for farm programs and some food assistance programs through September 2024. Ed Elfman is the Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Rural Policy for the American Bankers Association. He talks about the importance of having a farm bill in place at the end of 2023, getting more money for USDA offices to upgrade their technology, interest rates and more.

Early, often and transparent was a common theme in the conversation on succession planning and generational wealth. Jud Snyder and Brad Guse of BMO share insight on competing in the new normal, basic succession planning conversations, “killer D's,” generational wealth process, liquidity, adding new family members and advice. Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza dives into the topics below with Jud and Brad: 1:55: What succession planning used to look like and what we are seeing now 3:19: Can your farm compete in the ‘new normal' 4:54: Basic succession planning conversations 7:15: Emotions involved in succession planning 8:46: Perfect time to exit 10:50: Ideal time to end the farm with no successor 13:20: Keep an eye on macroeconomics    14:01: Considerations when selling to a third party 15:25: Preparing for the unexpected, ‘Killer D's' 18:15: Process of generational wealth and how it's generated 20:36: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption and set to expire Jan. 1, 2026, how does this impact succession planning 22.19: Who should be involved in succession planning 24:01: What is liquidity and why is it important 26:04:  Considerations with marriage and new family members 27:14: Multiple siblings but only select few taking over the farm, what about the other non-farming children 29:54: When does life insurance play a role 32:10: How to keep the older generation involved 34:48: Final advice on succession planning Special thanks to BMO for sponsoring this episode. About the guests Jud Snyder Jud Snyder is Regional President of the Midwest with BMO Wealth Management and BMO's Senior Executive for Southeast Wisconsin.  Jud oversees the strategic development and delivery of BMO Private Bank's personal wealth management platform to high net worth individuals, families and organizations, including closely-held and family-owned businesses, endowments and foundations throughout the Midwest. Jud joined the Bank in 1994 and has over 28 years of experience in financial services.  Prior to taking his current role, he spent much of his career in Commercial Banking. He was responsible for leading the growth and development of M&I's Equipment Finance Company. This included strategic and managerial responsibility for sales, operations, underwriting and equipment management capabilities within Equipment Finance. In 2010, he was named M&I's Head of Specialized Industries. In this role he was responsible for Equipment Finance, Global Trade, Health Care, Dealer Finance, Agribusiness and Sponsor Finance. Following the BMO acquisition in 2011, he moved back into the head role at BMO Equipment Finance with the mandate to leverage the business across BMO and grow the business to scale.  Jud obtained his BA in Russian and Economics from UW Madison ('94). He serves on the Board of Directors for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Trustee), United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Milwaukee World Festival, Froedtert Health Systems (Chair), and Teach for America Milwaukee. He was previously a Director and Chair of the Milwaukee Ballet (2012-2019) and a past Chairman and Officer of the ELFA (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association) (2010-2020).  Jud lives in River Hills, Wisconsin with his wife, Amy and their children.  Brad Guse As an agricultural banking officer for BMO Commercial Bank - Marshfield, Brad Guse manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural relationships made up of primarily dairy farm accounts. Guse has ten years of experience in the dairy nutrition field and over twenty - eight years of experience in agricultural banking. He was appointed by Wisconsin's Governor to serve on the Dairy 2.0 task force as well as to serve on the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) board of directors. He's very involved in the Ag community serving as the school director and an instructor for the Wisconsin Bankers Association agricultural lending schools as well as serving on the American Bankers Association's Ag and Rural Banking conference committee to name just a few. Brad served 21 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, retiring in 2004 after his unit's successful deployment to Afghanistan. Guse holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.  This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.  Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.  Attend Dairy Strong on Jan. 16-18 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to gain firsthand inspiration and discover the challenges and solutions experienced by other farmers when implementing sustainable practices. Gain practical knowledge and motivation to implement practices that will make a positive impact on the environment and farms. Learn more and register at dairystrong.org.

The Dairy Streamlet is a new, condensed version of Dairy Stream that takes the long episode and covers just the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, we encourage you to listen to the full episode on Nov. 8. Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza talks with Jud Snyder and Brad Guse of BMO about competing in the new normal, succession planning conversations, perfect time to exit, process of generational wealth, importance of liquidity, future planning advice and more. Special thanks to BMO for sponsoring this episode. About the guests Jud Snyder Jud Snyder is Regional President of the Midwest with BMO Wealth Management and BMO's Senior Executive for Southeast Wisconsin.  Jud oversees the strategic development and delivery of BMO Private Bank's personal wealth management platform to high net worth individuals, families and organizations, including closely-held and family-owned businesses, endowments and foundations throughout the Midwest. Jud joined the Bank in 1994 and has over 28 years of experience in financial services.  Prior to taking his current role, he spent much of his career in Commercial Banking. He was responsible for leading the growth and development of M&I's Equipment Finance Company. This included strategic and managerial responsibility for sales, operations, underwriting and equipment management capabilities within Equipment Finance. In 2010, he was named M&I's Head of Specialized Industries. In this role he was responsible for Equipment Finance, Global Trade, Health Care, Dealer Finance, Agribusiness and Sponsor Finance. Following the BMO acquisition in 2011, he moved back into the head role at BMO Equipment Finance with the mandate to leverage the business across BMO and grow the business to scale.  Jud obtained his BA in Russian and Economics from UW Madison ('94). He serves on the Board of Directors for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Trustee), United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Milwaukee World Festival, Froedtert Health Systems (Chair), and Teach for America Milwaukee. He was previously a Director and Chair of the Milwaukee Ballet (2012-2019) and a past Chairman and Officer of the ELFA (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association) (2010-2020).  Jud lives in River Hills, Wisconsin with his wife, Amy and their children.  Brad Guse As an agricultural banking officer for BMO Commercial Bank - Marshfield, Brad Guse manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural relationships made up of primarily dairy farm accounts. Guse has ten years of experience in the dairy nutrition field and over twenty - eight years of experience in agricultural banking. He was appointed by Wisconsin's Governor to serve on the Dairy 2.0 task force as well as to serve on the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) board of directors. He's very involved in the Ag community serving as the school director and an instructor for the Wisconsin Bankers Association agricultural lending schools as well as serving on the American Bankers Association's Ag and Rural Banking conference committee to name just a few. Brad served 21 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, retiring in 2004 after his unit's successful deployment to Afghanistan. Guse holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.  This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.  Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.  Attend Dairy Strong on Jan. 16-18 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to gain firsthand inspiration and discover the challenges and solutions experienced by other farmers when implementing sustainable practices. Gain practical knowledge and motivation to implement practices that will make a positive impact on the environment and farms. Learn more and register at dairystrong.org.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Marguerite C. Lorenz, CTFA, CLPF. Marguerite has navigated many challenges in her life. One occurred in October 2007 when her home, along with over 100 others in her neighborhood, burned to the ground. Marguerite and her two children, who were in middle school at the time, lost everything. This included some objects, that they didn't realize until later, attached them to certain family memories. There were two strong forces that helped Marguerite's family at the time. First was a loving community that came together to provide for them. And the second was solid insurance coverage that provided them financial footing as they reestablished their lives after the disaster. Since 2003, Marguerite has been a managing partner of Lorenz Private Trustees and has served as a Professional Trustee and Executor on over 100 matters. Her book, Ethics for Trustees 2.0, gives further understanding to the work of a Fiduciary and its ethical considerations. Marguerite also serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for the Independent Trustee Alliance (ITA). Marguerite's experience includes, but is not limited to, residential and commercial real estate, high net worth and ultra-high net worth families, multi-family housing, fiduciary management of corporations, coin, art and book collections, investment accounts and vessels. Her clients have properties in California and other states. She enjoys those matters where the parent, or grandparent, has worked hard to build the family business and wishes to keep their assets in trust for the protection and enjoyment of their family, kids and grandkids. Marguerite is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (#319), a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) #87097, and a Master Certified Independent Trustee (MCIT) through the ITA. She has been awarded Certification through the Institute of Certified Bankers/American Bankers Association. She is a Graduate of the National Trust School, American Bankers Association at Northwestern University and holds a Certificate in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees from California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Lorenz serves as an expert witness on criminal matters. Marguerite serves her clients in California and beyond. In the past, Governor Brown appointed Marguerite to serve a four-year term as a Member of the California Professional Fiduciaries Advisory Committee. Under her leadership, the Bureau developed various educational publications and extended the national awareness of the fiduciary profession.

6:35 - lottery segment 6:50 - Dr. Ken Cyree - Dean, School of Business Administration; Frank R. Day/Mississippi Bankers Association Chair of Banking; Professor of Finance 7:20 - Nicole Akins Boyd - MS Senator, Dist. 9 (Lafayette, and Panola Counties) & Vice-Chair, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee 7:50 - Ken Cyree 8:20 - Dan Brown

Individual Retirement Accounts. How much do you really know? Did you know that investing in real estate through an IRA doesn't require paying taxes or penalties on rollovers? This makes IRAs a very attractive option. But you need to stay educated and understand the rules and regulations associated with these types of investments to avoid potential issues with the IRS.   Leave a positive rating and review of this with just one click WHAT TO LISTEN FOR4:48 The history of self-directed IRAs14:34 Alternative investments are not inherently risky17:12 Real estate investments through IRAs27:07 Solo 401k tax exemption ABOUT ALEX PERNYAlex is a business development specialist and host of Advanta IRA's podcast, the Alternative Investment Advantage. He holds the designation of Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) from the American Bankers Association and loves diving deep to learn about the rules, regulations, and technical aspects of self-directed IRAs, employer plans, and IRS regulations. He believes so strongly using retirement plans to invest outside the stock market he has self-directed his retirement and health savings plan and invest in real estate and private equity. CONNECT WITH ALEXWebsite | Email CONNECT WITH US Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email Greg | Email TimTo learn more about investment opportunities, join the Cityside Capital Investor Club. Follow so you never miss a NEW episode! 

Larissa is associate director of education and a member of the business development team at Advanta IRA Services, LLC.  She educates potential and current clients on self-directed IRAs and IRS section 4975 on prohibited transactions and disqualified persons.  Larissa has the designation of Certified IRA Services Professional from the American Bankers Association for being knowledgeable on the subject of IRAs.  She is a frequent lecturer on the topic of self-directed IRAs, the rules and regulations for investing in real estate using an IRA and the types of accounts that can be used. Larissa is involved with a local real estate investment group and is a self-directed investor herself. HIGHLIGHTS IN THE SHOW: 00:00 - Intro 01:22  - Larissa's Background 02:11 - Impact Equity Ad 02:39 - Self Directed IRAs 06:29 - Education Savings Accounts 07:05 - Advanta IRA Services, LLC 12:26 - Getting Started 14:43 - Challenges and Paperwork 17:18 - Understanding UDFI / UBIT 22:30 - Types of Investments 23:48 - The Rules About Investing With Family 27:01 - Educational Resources 31:43 - Connect 32:46 - Bucket List CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: https://www.advantaira.com/ CONNECT WITH OUR HOST: Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on social media @the.gentle.art.of.crushing.it Listen, like, subscribe, comment: http://thegentleartofcrushingit.com/

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Ray Jimenez talks about how employees are using AI for learning. Ray will share practical examples of incorporating ChatGPT into the learning experience, such as learner familiarisation, troubleshooting, and coaching. About  Ray JimenezRay Jimenez Ph.D. is the Chief Learning Architect at Vignettes Learning, trainingmagnetwork.com and situationexpert.com. He has worked with the American Bankers Association, Neiman Marcus, the US Air Force, NASA, Blue Cross, Goodwill Industries, Pixar Studios, among others. Ray's expertise is in microlearning, story-based learning design, scenario-based learning design and creative problem solving.Key takeaways:There have been successful experiments using ChatGPT's integration in learning platforms, such as rapidly familiarising technicians with new subject matter, accelerating ISO certification processes, and enabling coaches to provide targeted prompts and expand learners' growth mindset.The potential for private data integration in ChatGPT offers exciting opportunities for companies, allowing learners to explore and interact with their own proprietary information, creating a closer connection between learning and real-life work situations.Working with AI involves recalibrating the way we think about learning, moving away from a reliance on content delivery and toward nurturing critical thinking, questioning, and debating skills, thus enabling learners to become more autonomous and better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.Segmented time stamps:(00:00) We need to recalibrate our thinking in learning away from content(01:56) How ChatGPT can be used by learners(05:04) On workplaces having their own Generative AI tools(11:08) The idea of templates for learners(16:00) Using AI for more hands-on and physical work(19:34) Examples of using critical thinking alongside AI(27:14) ChatGPT being more generalised than specialised Links from the podcast Connect with Ray on LinkedIn5 Experiments in ChatGPT/Situation Expert  

If you enjoyed this episode, or are enjoying the Scalable REI show overall, show your support by buying the Scalable REI team a cup of coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scalablereiJohn Bowens is one of the most sought-after and respected educators in the self-directed IRA industry. As Director, Head of Education and Investor Success at Equity Trust Company, John draws from his 20 years in the real estate industry and his experience as an active real estate investor. In his travels across the U.S. and virtually, he has trained 60,000 investors during more than 400 workshops and classes, spreading the message about the power of building tax-free wealth and leaving a lasting legacy by investing in what investors know best. In addition to thought leadership in the industry, John has also directed teams in both the front-office and back-office operations with Equity Trust, focusing on the custody of various alternative assets, including but not limited to, real estate, notes, private equity, precious metals, and much more. John contributed to the book “Self-Directed IRAs: Building Retirement Wealth Through Alternative Investing” with Equity Trust Company Founder Richard Desich, Sr., and has appeared on several national real estate and finance-related radio shows, including the Rich Dad Radio Show.He received his bachelor's degree in Finance from Ohio University. John's holds the Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) designation through the American Bankers Association.Best Way to Contact John's Company:https://www.trustetc.com/home-4/(855) 233-4382Helpful Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGNm_TvU11sBEST CRM THAT WE USE: Looking for the best all-in-one CRM to scale your real estate investing business? Use the link below to sign up today: https://www.gohighlevel.com/main-page?fp_ref=scalable-reiBEST PHONE SYSTEM THAT WE USE: Looking for an optimal online phone system that can forward to your cell phone, directly integrate to your CRM, and be leveraged for your remote virtual assistant team? If so, use this link to save $20 today when you open a new account: https://openph.one/referral/NpnZPxX COFFEE!!! If you feel this episode provided a ton of value, show your support by buying us a cup of coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scalablereiLET'S DO SOME DEALS!!! Contact Mason to JV/partner on deals or passively invest by either emailing him at mason@scalablerei.comSchedule a call with Mason by using this link here: https://calendly.com/mason-klement/30minFollow Mason on Instagram to learn additional real estate investing tips and tricks: https://www.instagram.com/mason_klement_scalablerei/NOTE: This description might contain affiliate links, which may pay our podcast a commission at absolutely zero cost to you.  Any commissions go toward the cost of producing each episode so we really appreciate your support.  In addition, depending on the vendor, you actually might even save money by using these links that you wouldn't have access to if you went directly to the vendor's website. 

Welcome back to Blended! It's episode 32, I'm joined by a brand new panel of fantastic professionals and, today, we're talking about introverts vs extroverts. Most of us, in our lives and careers, have considered what personality type we are. You might be a self-identifying Type A personality (which I know one or two of my guests today are!) In many workplaces you might even have undergone a personality test, so leadership can get a greater idea of individuals strengths and weaknesses. And one factor that's at the core of many personality assessments is whether you are introverted or extroverted. But the introverts vs extroverts question is pretty complex – it's about way more than if you're quiet or chatty. And since understanding introversion and extroversion can help you understand yourself and others better, we thought it was a really interesting topic to discuss here on Blended. So today, our guests will be diving into what these words actually mean and the qualities we associate with them; sharing their own experiences; reflecting on why society values extroversion so highly; and sharing their words of advice for how organizations can better support all personality types in the workplace.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [01.09] Introductions to our Blended panellists. Jennifer – Owner and CEO at The MJW Group Elouise – Partner at Kearney Cathy – Vice president of Women's Leadership and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at American Bankers Association [03.48] The group discuss the definitions of introvert and extrovert, and reflect on what the words mean to them. The qualities or personality traits we associate with each Are introverts actually shy? Introverts are impacted, whereas extroverts are activated, by stimuli Combining introvert and extrovert qualities Differing lengths of time you can maintain extroversion Control Small talk Playing the game Exhaustion from social situations “I'm an introvert… but I'm a public speaker and I love it! But there's a difference, because it's a situation that I control… and it's one-directional.” Elouise [16.05] The panel talk about labels, and whether there is still value in personality testing in the workplace. Personalities are a journey Pidgeon-holing people Moving beyond labels Self-discovery People first Bias Time, patience and compromise Safe spaces How Elouise's transition led her to seeming more extroverted, but in reality it was happiness Empathy Flexibility “Education around how different people communicate in different ways is important. We make assumptions about people based upon how we communicate, our world vision, and we may be inaccurately assessing someone's confidence, competence or leadership skills because they're communicating in a different way and we're interpreting that incorrectly.”  Cathy [38.21] The group share their personal experiences of introversion and extroversion, and how those experiences have impacted them professionally and personally. Societal celebration of extroversion Feeling self-conscious or ashamed if you don't speak in a group setting Using note-taking as a safe way to insert your voice Becoming comfortable with not speaking if there's nothing that needs to be said Putting people on the spot Understanding your own limits [50.57] The panel reflect on why society values extroversion so highly, and the unseen value of introverts. Not encouraging people to change who they are Acceptance Education Visibility Authenticity Confusing speaking with value Hidden value of introverts Personal energy “It comes down to politics… he who speaks the loudest gets heard, and that's encouraged.” Jennifer [01.01.54] The group share advice for managing introverts and extroverts in the workplace, and being a better colleague. Education Strategies for running meetings Time for quiet reflection Balance Encouragement Boundaries Taking help or opportunities that are offered Self-care Self-belief [01.08.09] The panel sum-up their thoughts from today's discussion. “Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, find the person that you vibe with.” Jennifer RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Jennifer, Elouise and Cathy and over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out 247: Blended – The Difference Between Culture and Community: What Can We Learn? or 210: Blended – Don't forget the ‘T': Talking Trans. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Last week, the American Bankers Association urged federal regulators to investigate the sudden surge of short sales on publicly traded banking equities. The Association described the short sales and the resulting stock price failures as "disconnected from the underlying financial realities.” The big takeaway here—we simply don't have enough visibility into short selling. We can't know the possible extent of abusive short-selling practices, especially in light of recent banking failures. We also discuss briefly the 24 hour trading that Robinhood has recently rolled out. (Three words- IT'S A TRAP!)

Landlife 85: What is a Self-Directed IRA? John Bowens is one of the most sought-after and respected educators in the self-directed IRA industry. As Director, Head of Education and Investor Success at Equity Trust Company, John draws from his 20 years in the real estate industry and his experience as an active real estate investor. In his travels across the U.S. and virtually, he has trained 60,000 investors during more than 400 workshops and classes, spreading the message about the power of building tax-free wealth and leaving a lasting legacy by investing in what investors know best. In addition to thought leadership in the industry, John has also directed teams in both the front-office and back-office operations with Equity Trust, focusing on the custody of various alternative assets, including but not limited to, real estate, notes, private equity, precious metals, and much more. John contributed to the book “Self-Directed IRAs: Building Retirement Wealth Through Alternative Investing” with Equity Trust Company Founder Richard Desich, Sr., and has appeared on several national real estate and finance-related radio shows, including the Rich Dad Radio Show. He received his bachelor's degree in Finance from Ohio University. John's holds the Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) designation through the American Bankers Association. #selfdirectedira #selfdirectededucation #retirementplanning

SECURE Act 2.0 created new retirement and savings opportunities that were not part of the original SECURE Act. Notably, it gives business owners the ability to be more strategic when choosing what kind of tax-deferred plan is best for them based on their personal and business circumstances. And it also gave them more options for employees. So why should business owners be thinking about meaningful and inspired ways to retain employees and focus on overall employee well-being?  In this episode of Off the Wall, host Jessica Gibbs, CFP® speaks with Emily Harper, CFP®, Vice President and Partner at Monument Wealth Management. Emily breaks down what business owners need to know about the SECURE Act 2.0, the types of retirement plans that are not available, and the deadlines that have changed. She also explains the factors to consider when choosing between a Solo 401K and a SEP IRA, and highlights opportunities employers now have to support employees, including through matching contributions to Roth retirement plans and matching amounts an employee paid toward student loan debt.  Then Caroline Clark, a Human Resources Business Partner at Capital One, joins the episode to discuss the significance of creating a meaningful benefits package that meets employees' needs and is easy to access and use. Caroline shares trends in company benefits, and tips for business owners who want to create a benefits package but aren't sure where to start.  Caroline and Emily also delve into the philosophy of “Stakeholder Theory”—which stresses the interconnected relationships between a business and its customers, employees, communities, and others who have a stake in an organization, including the business owner—and its value in creating positive, far-reaching effects.  “If you take care of the associate, the associate will take care of the customer, and the customer will keep coming back.” – Caroline Clark  Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures.    Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:  [02:08] Retirement savings enhancements for business owners under SECURE Act 2.0 [04:34] Factors to consider when choosing between a Solo 401K and a SEP IRA[08:45] Expanded Roth savings opportunities  [12:39] The importance of considering employee well-being and how SECURE Act 2.0 can help [15:55] Current trends in employee benefit offerings [20:32] The importance of collecting feedback from employees to create successful benefits packages [22:30] How to create meaningful benefits packages [23:29] Ensuring ease of access to benefits for maximum employee value [26:50] How employers can reconcile which benefits they can realistically provide with their desired offerings [28:25] An explanation of Stakeholder Theory and how it generates values for the business, the employee and the customer [32:26] Final advice for business owners on balancing personal priorities with business needs   About Caroline Clark:  Caroline Clark is a Senior Manager, Human Resources Business Partner at Capital One where she works with leaders in US Card. Caroline has spent her career working across a variety of industries solving business problems through human solutions. Previously, Caroline led talent strategy and acquisition at the American Bankers Association and Marriott International. Caroline received her MBA from The University of Virginia, Darden School of Business where she served as the President of the Network of Executive Women and was recognized with the C. Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service award. You can find her taking walks or catching the latest Formula 1 race on the weekends with her husband, Matt, son, Luke, and Spanish Water Dog, Cooper. Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinekclark/  Resources Mentioned:  Gallup Employee Wellbeing: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/215924/well-being.aspx  Education Data Initiative: https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics  Stakeholder Theory & R. Edward Freeman: https://www.darden.virginia.edu/faculty-research/directory/r-edward-freeman  Connect with Monument Wealth Management: Visit our website: https://bit.ly/monumentwealthwebsite  Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/MonumentWealthIG  Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/MonumentWealthTW  Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MonumentWealthLI  Connect with us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/MonumentWealthFB  About “Off the Wall”: OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.  Learn more about our hosts, Dave and Jessica on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com.  Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures.     

Jim Cramer and David Faber focused on the latest developments surrounding the turmoil in the banking sector: In prepared remarks for a speech to the American Bankers Association, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the government could backstop more deposits if necessary to stop potential contagion. First Republic led regional bank shares higher on news that JPMorgan Chase is advising the company on strategic alternatives including a capital raise. Also in focus: The Fed kicks off its two-day policy meeting, a preview of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's keynote speech on AI to the company's developer conference, what the CEO of TikTok said ahead of his Capitol Hill testimony on Thursday, Amazon layoffs, Moody's ups Tesla's debt from junk status. 

Ed Elfmann Sr. Vice President for Ag and Rural Banking Policy for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. says they will watch the Farm Bill debate, if nothing else, to understand how the new legislation will impact farm loans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Steve Gottheim, General Counsel for ALTA. You can contact Steve via email.During their conversation, Steve or Mary mentioned: The American Bankers Association sues the CFPB over proposed changes to their supervisory manual. UDAP, or Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts or Practices. In December 2022, the CFPB issued a consent order against Wells Fargo, which came with a hefty fine of $3.7 billion.Steve explains the House Freedom Caucus and its role among a divided government. Read about the concerns Republicans are raising about the CFPB's recent actions.Steve anticipates the Treasury Department will file a proposal that would require real estate transactions to go through a money laundering program.Find the 2022 Biden Administration's Regulatory Agenda and Plan here.Mary and Steve discuss the possibility of the acceptance of alternatives to title insurance. Take a look at ALTA's research on the risks associated with these alternatives.Sign up for ATLA's Title Action Network (TAN) to become an advocate for the title industry. You can now reach the Commitment Matters Podcast via phone! Got a topic or guest idea you want featured? Leave us a voice message at 214.377.1807 or email us at podcasts@ramquest.com. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode. Lastly, we love to see when and how you're listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #CommitmentMattersPodcast

We first discuss the multiple benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for financial institutions, the challenges and opportunities institutions face in implementing a DEI strategy, and how DEI applies beyond an institution's workforce. We then consider the risk of discrimination claims arising from DEI programs and the role of legal counsel in the development and implementation of DEI strategies. We also discuss diversity self-assessments and the role of Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion and the potential impact on DEI programs of a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that the higher education affirmative action programs at issue in the cases pending before it are unlawful. We conclude by looking at the characteristics of a successful DEI program. Dee Spagnuolo, a partner in Ballard Spahr's White Collar Group moderates the discussion, joined by Brian Pedrow, a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment Group. Dee and Brian are co-leaders of the firm's DEI Counseling Team.

This week, we sit down with Naomi Mercer, Senior VP of DEI for the American Bankers Association, to discuss the importance of financial literacy, invisible disabilities, and her new book, "DEI Foundations: Practices for Accelerating Your Bank's DEI Journey."

This week, we sit down with Naomi Mercer, Senior VP of DEI for the American Bankers Association, to discuss the importance of financial literacy, invisible disabilities, and her new book, "DEI Foundations: Practices for Accelerating Your Bank's DEI Journey."

Two experts on banking and politics – Cam Fine, the former CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America and Ed Yingling, the former CEO of the American Bankers Association – talk about how the different election outcomes will affect the industry. That includes a look at what legislation is likely to pass if the GOP seizes the House and Senate, and what agencies and rules Republicans will target.

The benefits of blockchain technology are yet to be realized in banking. While some large banks have commercial projects nothing has really taken off yet. Much of that is due to regulatory uncertainty but many banks are actively engaging and learning while we are in this something of a holding period.Our next guest on the Fintech One-on-One podcast is Robert Morgan, the CEO of the USDF Consortium, a group of banks creating a blockchain-based system for tokenized deposits that will make banking safer, cheaper and more reliable for consumers. Rob used to be the head of innovation at the American Bankers Association (we had him on the show back in 2017) and so he has a deep understanding of banking and technology.In this podcast you will learn:Why Rob decided to make the jump from the ABA to the USDF ConsortiumHow he describes what USDF is exactly.How banks will use USDF and a description of the payments flow.The primary benefits of USDF and the most popular use cases.How the programmability of USDF can be leveraged.Why USDF will be complementary to Fedwire and FedNow (when it launches).How the USDF Consortium, the Provenance Blockchain and Figure are related.How they are working with the Federal regulatory agencies today.Details of their response to Treasury's RFC on digital assets.How they view CBDCs and how it could be complementary to what they are building.The types of banks that are members of the consortium.Where they are at when it comes to USDF going live.The objections of banks who are not ready to join the consortium.What Rob thinks the next move from regulators will be when it comes to digital assets.What the banking system could look like in ten years time.Connect with Fintech One-on-One: Tweet me @PeterRenton Connect with me on LinkedIn Find previous Fintech One-on-One episodes

Ken Ruggiero, CEO and Co-founder of Ascent, joins me and we look at his unique journey to founding Ascent, a fintech company that applies a holistic lens to the student loan industry. It's the kind of discussion that's full of diverse insight into governmental policy, first-hand knowledge of the student loan industry's long history and the reflections on the outsized power that higher education lobby wields. Learn how Ascent has been honored by the American Bankers Association for its data- and tech-driven approach that also incorporates educational elements to advance financial literacy, life skills and career support. You'll also get a peek into Ken's emphatic advice: If you're struggling to keep up with payments, don't go into denial. Loan providers are there to help you work it out! In today's episode, we're covering: Ken's professional evolution within the student loan sector over the past two decades A complex understanding of the context for FFEL loans How student loan and FFEL restructuring made Ken step away What events propelled Ken's decision to re-enter the student loan market in 2017 How Ascent grew out of a desire to serve students who have no resources, no credit and no support in funding their education Ken's journey of Ascent's loan portfolio performance and forbearance amidst pandemic Why anyone would use a private student loan in today's environment  Why private student loan companies like Ascent exist Refinancing and whether it makes sense to renegotiate your loan, including Ken's advice Ken's explanation of the finer points of Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans, patterns and shifts in borrowing A back-door method of education funding that parents without resources might try Alternatives to student loans that Ken recommends All about Ascent's Bright Futures Engine that integrates student loans with the preparedness and healthy financial habits for students What is peak season and why it matters Links mentioned: Learn about Ascent's Bright Futures Engine Find Ken on LinkedIn   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan