Saturday, June 28, 2025

In-Person Banking Fading

Wed, 21 April 2021  |  banking 

FICO, a global analytics leader, today released its 2^nd annual Consumer Digital Banking study that found consumers across the U.S. and Canada have embraced digital banking and biometric identity proofing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that almost half (41 percent) of North American consumers are more likely to use digital means to open a financial account than a year ago, while almost a third (32 percent) are less likely to visit a branch to open a new account.

"In an effort to help stop the spread of the virus, consumers across Read More

Luxury-Home Sales Rise 42% In First Quarter

Tue, 20 April 2021  |  housing real estate 

Sales of luxury homes in the U.S. rose 41.6% year over year in the first quarter of 2021, far outpacing sales growth in every other segment of the housing market, according to a new report from Redfin that divided all U.S. residential properties into five price tiers—luxury, expensive, mid-priced, affordable and most affordable—based on Redfin Estimates of the homes' market values. By comparison, sales of affordable homes increased 7% and sales of mid-priced homes climbed 5.9%.

Pandemic's Impact Compels Parents To Talk Money With Their Kids

Tue, 20 April 2021  |  pandemic 

A new study from T. Rowe Price provides a look at how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted families' financial well-being, compelling more parents than ever to have conversations regarding money matters with their children. Further, the study shows how the pandemic has exacerbated existing racial inequalities, including the racial retirement savings gap.

T. Rowe Price's 13th annual Parents, Kids & Money Survey, which sampled more than 2,000 parents and their 8- to 14-year-olds, reveals insights into the pandemic's impact on different families. The findings sug... Read More

Nearly Two-thirds Of U.S. Adults Interested In Crypto

Tue, 20 April 2021  |  investing payments 

A new survey by Gemini, the crypto exchange and custodian, points to a significant expansion and diversification of the nation's crypto investors. The 2021 State of US Crypto Report illustrates how attributes like gender, age, income and location are changing from the typical crypto investor. According to the report the number of cryptocurrency investors is set to double this year. In addition, older women make up the majority of the "crypto curious" — those on the brink of investing — and many of whom are nearing retirement.

The survey also revealed that the... Read More

Two-Thirds of Americans Planning Summer Vacations

Tue, 20 April 2021  |  travel 

With summer right around the corner, it's not just the weather that's heating up. Tripadvisor's 2021 Summer Travel Index reveals that - with every passing day - travel is making a big comeback. Nearly half of Americans (43%) in a recent Tripadvisor survey believe travel activity will rebound within three months. With Americans no longer settling for staycations and local trips, it appears true vacation getaways are coming back en vogue.

Over two-thirds of Americans (67%) are planning to travel this summer (June 1 - August 31), which is a 17% increase from those who traveled this sp... Read More

Venmo Rolls Out Crypto

Tue, 20 April 2021  |  payments technology 

Venmo, the online payments platform serving more than 70 million customers, announced the launch of crypto on the app. With crypto on Venmo, customers can view cryptocurrency trends, buy or sell crypto, and access in-app guides and videos to help answer commonly asked questions and learn more about the world of crypto. Customers using crypto on Venmo can choose from four types of cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. When they make transactions, customers can also choose to share their crypto journey with their friends through the Venmo feed.

"Crypto on ... Read More