Gadgetwise Blog: Giving Windows an iPad a Boost

The iPad seems to be doing well among business customers already, but the ability to run business software like Microsoft Office well could make the Apple device even more appealing. A start-up company called OnLive is launching an online app that it says will allow iPad users to do just that. *** Read at; Gadgetwise Blog: Giving Windows on an iPad a Boost:

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World's Happiest Country

World's Happiest Country Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, the latest World Happiness Report revealed. Nordic countries—including Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—also ranked in the top 10. Analysts attribute Finland’s joy factor to its wealth, social safety network, and high life expectancy, among factors. Afghanistan maintained its place as the world’s unhappiest country. The results were based on answers from roughly 100,000 people in 140 countries and territories. Respondents were asked to rank their life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10. Finnish respondents gave an average life satisfaction score of 7.7; Afghans answered 1.4. The US, in 23rd place, reported an average score of 6.8. Explore rankings here . The report's authors cautioned this year that social media use is driving population-level drops in reported well-being among adolescents. Young English...

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Regulators Launch Broad Rewrite Of Bank Capital Rules, Eye Lower Requirements

WASHINGTON— Federal banking regulators on Thursday formally launched what could become the biggest rewrite of U.S. bank capital rules in years, unveiling a package of proposals aimed at easing and recalibrating capital requirements across the industry—moves officials say should reduce aggregate required capital for banks of all sizes and free up more capacity for lending. The Federal Reserve and FDIC both advanced the proposals at board meetings Thursday, while the OCC joined the interagency package, Law360 reported. At the center of the package is a long-awaited rewrite of the U.S. “Basel III endgame” proposal for the largest banks, along with a broader companion proposal to make risk-based capital rules more risk-sensitive for smaller and midsize banks as well. Bloomberg reported the changes are designed to relax capital treatment for large lenders, while Law360 said regulators described the package as a comprehensive overhaul intended to finish the delayed Basel implementation and r...

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Average 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage At 6.22%

MCLEAN, Va.--The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched up this past week, averaging 6.22%, Freddie Mac reported. "The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage edged up this week to 6.22% but remains nearly half a percentage point lower than the same time last year," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist. "Potential homebuyers are poised for a more affordable spring homebuying season than last with the market experiencing improvements in purchase applications and pending home sales.” The 30-year FRM averaged 6.22% as of March 19, up from last week when it averaged 6.11%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.67%. The 15-year FRM averaged 5.54%, up from last week when it averaged 5.50%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.83%. ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: Annual Conference First Responder Credit Union Academy Finan...

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Sunday Reading - March Madness, explained

The Big Dance March Madness, explained "March Madness" is the well-known name for the NCAA's annual Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, which determine national champions through a 68-team , single-elimination format. Automatic bids go to 31 conference winners, while 37 at-large selections fill the field. The high-stakes structure—where smaller "Cinderella" schools can upset powerhouses—drives huge viewership and revenue; TV and marketing rights account for roughly two-thirds of the NCAA's $1.4B income in fiscal 2024. The National Inv...

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FRB decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT Share Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate. In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee is strongly com...

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James Hunter, Executive Director of Credit Union Development for New Orleans Firemen’s CU, knows too well how expensive it is to be poor.

NEW ORLEANS FIREMEN’S FCU 􀀁 METAIRIE, L A passion for empowerment James Hunter knows too well how expensive it is to be poor. It’s what he sees every day as mortgage director and executive director of credit union development for $182 million asset New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union, Metairie, La., and executive director of The Faith Fund, a nonprofit partnership that seeks to provide a financial hand-up to the undeserved. It’s what inspires him to come to work every day and drives his passion of empowering people and setting them on the path to financial security. “Too many people are too far away from the starting line,” Hunter says. “Payday loans are a big business in Louisiana. Exorbitant fees and interest from payday loans drain more than a quarter of a billion dollars a year. Baton Rouge supports one of the top three pay-day loan markets in the U.S.” The Faith Fund was formed to counteract that. It’s a unique cooperative relationship between like-minded busi...

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Sunday Reading - How were the National Parks started?

America's 'Best Idea' How were the National Parks started? America's National Park System includes roughly 85 million acres of US territory, equal to the size of Germany, set aside by federal law for preservation. There are 63 areas officially designated as national parks—including the Grand Canyon, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Acadia—and more than 400 additional smaller units ( see map ). In 1872, Yellowstone was established as the first national park dedicated to public enjoyment and recreation, though its foundation also displaced several Native American tribes . By 1916, the growing system required the creation of the National Park Service to preserve its lands for future generations. Eventually, hunting and logging were banned in the parks, though regulated extractive activity is still permitted in nati...

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Survey:Consumer Banking Temperature Check September 2020

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A Perfect Example - What Makes Credit Unions Different from Banks!

When the government shutdown hit in October and paychecks stopped, thousands of federal employees were left wondering how to make ends meet. Credit unions across the country stepped up—but Keesler Federal Credit Union went above and beyond. No loans, no hassle—just your paycheck Instead of making members apply for emergency loans, Keesler Federal launched its Paycheck Relief Program. Revolutionary in its simplicity, it worked like this: if you were a federal employee with direct deposit at Keesler Federal, your paycheck kept coming—interest-free, fee-free, and stress-free. Each qualified member could receive up to $6,000 per pay period for as long as 90 days. No hoops, no headaches. From October 1 until the shutdown ended, Keesler Federal advanced more than 5,000 paychecks totaling $6.5 million to 1,710 members. For non-members, they even offered zero-interest loans up to $6,500 with a year to pay it back. This proactive approach meant that before the first missed paycheck, Keesler Fed...

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Lifesaving Companion Dog Takes On New Role With Injured Firefighter « CBS New York

Lifesaving Companion Dog Takes On New Role With Injured Firefighter « CBS New York : "NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A badly injured New York firefighter received a companion dog whose already saved people’s lives from fire. As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported, disabled firefighter Tom Prin beamed as he was officially presented with his new canine companion Halona inside of a packed ceremony in Suffolk County. The former firefighter was one of 15 people receiving their canine companions. Prin was chosen because of what he’s been through — after fracturing his neck and back while responding to a Brooklyn fire. “When I was going from the third to fourth floor, the steps gave out and I fell through the fire escape,” he said. Prin has endured five spinal surgeries, but the Holtsville man will now be comforted by Halona who has quite the lifesaving resume herself." Click HERE to read full story and see video 'via Blog this'

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