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☆ Analysis: Cohen gets a breather after bruising cross-examination as Trump looks on
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Blanche took Cohen through a long list of the insults he’s unleashed at Trump since becoming estranged from his former mentor, highlighting his penchant for serial lying. He drew jurors’ attention to a social media post in which Cohen wore a T-shirt that depicted Trump in jail, as he spun a narrative of bias and obsession. A key legal conundrum is whether prosecutors have so far succeeded in validating the legal theory behind the case. That foreboding realization was exacerbated by a new posse of Trump supporters at the courthouse on Tuesday, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. While Cohen’s reluctance to offer yes-and-no answers came across at times as flippant and confrontational, he did not appear to say or do anything to torpedo the prosecution case.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Michael Cohen, don’t, Cohen, ”, Todd Blanche, president’s, didn’t, he’s, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Blanche, ” Cohen, he’d, ” Blanche, douchebag, ” Michael Moore, “, Moore, Juan Merchan, Will Trump’s, ” Shira Scheindlin, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ” Scheindlin, “ Cohen, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Andrew McCabe, Cohen’s, ” Moore, Daniels, Susan Hoffinger, reimbursements, ’ ” Cohen Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Middle, Middle District of, Louisiana Republican, Defense, FBI Locations: Ohio, Kentucky, Middle District, Middle District of Georgia, New York, Louisiana, Blanche, Manhattan

☆ Harbor Lab, a Greek startup trying to help ships manage port costs, just raised $16 million using this 10-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Harbor Lab, which aims to help the shipping industry streamline port costs, has raised funding. Founded in 2020 in Athens, the startup has brought in a $16 million Series A led by Atomico. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementHarbor Lab, a startup that aims to help the shipping industry reduce costs related to entering port, has raised $16 million in Series A funding.

Persons: Atomico, — Organizations: Service, Harbor Lab, Business Locations: Athens

☆ High inflation harms older households — and two factors determine who is most at risk, research finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

This year, Social Security beneficiaries saw a 3.2% increase to their benefits. The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may also be 3.2% in 2025 based on the latest government inflation data, estimates Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst. That estimate may change between now and October, when the Social Security Administration announces next year's cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. The average Social Security COLA has been 2.6% over the past 20 years, according to The Senior Citizens League. Many households tend to cut back on savings and increase withdrawals to try to lift themselves to where they were before inflation picked up.

Persons: Lourdes Balduque, Mary Johnson, Social Security COLA, Laura Quinby, It's, Quinby, Warren Buffett's Organizations: Social, Social Security, Social Security Administration, Senior Citizens League, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College, Center for Retirement, Finance

☆ The pandemic has changed when Americans expect to retire
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Most non-retired adults have some type of retirement savings, but only 36% think their savings are on track. New research from economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York finds that this retirement savings deficit hasn’t made a dent in when Americans plan to exit, or partially exit, the workforce. “The pandemic-induced change in retirement expectations may continue to affect the labor market in years to come,” they wrote. Yes, but: This is a survey of expectations, researchers at the New York Fed are quick to point out. Just because Americans say they plan to shift to part-time work or retire early, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be able to.

Persons: Felix Aidala, Gizem Kosar, Wilbert van der, ”, They’re, Alicia Wallace, delinquencies, Joelle, CNN’s Parija, Donna Morris, Morris, ” Morris Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Census, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Social Security, New, Survey, SCE, triannual, Social, Social Security Agency, Lawmakers, New York Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of New, “, Public Policy Research, Credit, Walmart, CNN, San Francisco Bay Area Locations: New York, United States, York, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Bentonville , Arkansas, Walmart’s Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto, Bentonville, San Francisco Bay, Hoboken , New Jersey

☆ People are raiding their savings and racking up debt, paving the way for economic pain, expert warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

People are spending almost every dollar they have to keep up with rising prices and interest costs. They're cutting back wherever they can, paving the way for an economic slump, Stephanie Pomboy said. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "They're spending every dollar they have, and then some, just to keep up with the basic necessities." This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Stephanie Pomboy, — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Average annual child care costs twice as much as rent in 11 states and the District of Columbia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If you think the rent is too damn high, wait until you get the bill for child care. And the tab exceeded annual typical mortgage payments in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, according to Child Care Aware. Nationwide, the average annual cost of care rose to $11,582 per child last year, up 3.7% from the prior year. Further exacerbating the shortage was the continued disappearance of licensed child care providers who operate out of their homes. Also, another $15 billion federal pandemic infusion for child care and development block grants, which states use to subsidize child care for working families, will expire this coming September.

Persons: that’s, Sandra Bishop, ”, Anne Hedgepeth Organizations: CNN, District of Columbia, of Columbia, Care, Nationwide, US Department of Health, Human Services, Care Aware’s, Century Foundation Locations: Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Massachusetts, Minnesota , Nebraska , Pennsylvania, Rhode Island , Vermont, Wisconsin

☆ Biden administration extends key deadline for student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Department of Education is giving borrowers more time to meet a key student loan forgiveness deadline. "The Department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they've rightfully earned toward forgiveness," U.S. Borrowers pursuing the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program can also receive additional credit from the payment count adjustment, as long as they certify their qualifying employment for those months. The payment count adjustment is an attempt to rectify longstanding issues for student loan borrowers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also found borrowers were needlessly steered into expensive forbearances, during which interest accrues and credit toward forgiveness is paused.

Persons: —, Biden, Education James Kvaal, weren't Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Education, Finance, Public, Government, Office, Consumer Financial Locations: U.S, deferments

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.38% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Student-loan borrowers just got 2 extra months to benefit from a temporary debt relief reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden's Education Department is giving student-loan borrowers more time to get closer to debt cancellation. On Wednesday, the Education Department announced that it's extending the deadline for borrowers to benefit from the one-time account adjustments. To receive the account adjustment automatically, borrowers must be in the federal direct loan program or have federally held loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program. "FFEL borrowers should consolidate as soon as possible in order to receive this benefit that has already provided forgiveness to nearly 1 million borrowers." Since the adjustments began, according to the department, 996,000 borrowers have received $49.2 billion in debt relief.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education, Education Department, Public, Business, Family Education, Education, Federal, Aid Locations: PSLF

☆ 529 college savings plans 'are better now than they've ever been,' expert says. Here are key changes for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Whether the funds are for college or vocational studies, she said, "529 plans are better now than they've ever been before and they're more flexible." "There are three pretty significant changes this year," said Vivian Tsai, senior director of education savings at TIAA and chair emeritus for the College Savings Foundation, a non-profit that provides public policy support for 529 plans. Financial experts and plan investors agree that 529 college savings plans are a smart choice for many. Tax deductions or credits for contributionsEven before recent changes, there were already many advantages to a 529 plan. A few states also offer additional benefits, such as scholarships or matching grants, to their residents if they invest in their home state's 529 plan.

Persons: Vivian Tsai, New Roth, beneficiary's Roth, Chris Lynch, they're, " Lynch Organizations: College Savings Foundation, Financial, Finance, CNBC, Federal

☆ Mortgage demand from homebuyers drops even as interest rates pull back to April lows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates last week dropped to the lowest level since April, but buyers are still struggling to afford today's housing market. As a result, mortgage demand flattened at a weak pace. "While the downward move in rates benefits prospective homebuyers, mortgage rates are still much higher than they were a year ago, while for-sale inventory remains tight," Kan added. Another read on inflation will influence the next move from the Federal Reserve on interest rates. "The difference between a result of 0.2 or 0.4 is surprisingly massive when it comes to the world of interest rates.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News

☆ Education Department Extends Deadline to Consolidate Loans for Forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Stacy Cowley | More About Stacy Cowley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

More than two weeks after a deadline passed for federal loan borrowers seeking debt relief, the Education Department has extended the offer, giving millions of borrowers a fresh shot at aid. The department said on Wednesday that borrowers would now have until June 30 to consolidate commercially held education debt under the Federal Family Education Loan Program — loans originally from private lenders — or Perkins loans into new direct loans, which are held by the Education Department. “The department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they’ve rightfully earned toward forgiveness,” said James Kvaal, the under secretary of education. The move is part of the Biden administration’s effort to aggressively cancel education debts through longstanding relief programs and by easing bureaucratic barriers. One of the trickiest challenges has been reaching borrowers with loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, a lingering vestige of a previous federal student loan system.

Persons: ”, James Kvaal, Biden Organizations: Education Department, Federal Family Education, Federal Family Education Loan Program

Attorneys were at a sidebar as prosecutor Susan Hoffinger began asking Michael Cohen about a Wall Street Journal story from 2018 on American Media Inc., the payments and Cohen's conversation with ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. "David was very concerned because it was going to affect AMI, it was going to affect him," Cohen said. Cohen says he told Pecker: "I told him that matter was going to be taken care of, and the person of course who was going to be able to do it was Jeff Sessions," who was attorney general at the time. Cohen testifies that he told Pecker that because "that was post my conversation with the president." Hoffinger confirmed with Cohen that he had already had a conversation with Trump about it at that point.

Persons: Susan Hoffinger, Michael Cohen, David Pecker, David, Cohen, Merchan, Pecker, Jeff Sessions, Hoffinger, Trump Organizations: American Media Inc, National Enquirer, AMI

☆ Monzo: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Cnbc.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As a digital-only bank, Monzo operates entirely within a mobile app. In September, the company partnered with BlackRock , the asset management giant, to offer three funds to Monzo customers. Founded in 2015, it has more than nine million customers, making it the largest digital bank in the U.K. and the seventh largest U.K. bank by customers. In March, Monzo raised $430 million in a new round of funding led by CapitalG, the venture arm of Alphabet. It appointed Conor Walsh, a former executive at Block's Cash App division, as the CEO at Monzo U.S. in October.

Persons: Monzo, neobanks, Starling, —, CapitalG, Conor Walsh, Anil Organizations: BlackRock, Starling Bank, Zopa, Sutton Bank, Monzo, Financial Times Locations: Monzo, U.S

☆ Brex: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Cnbc.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Since SVB, Brex has continued to invest in differentiated services, including AI-powered tools to help streamline expense reporting, booking and management capabilities, accounts payable and procurement management. Within 36 hours, Brex signed up nearly 4,000 companies, taking in close to $2 billion in deposits. It has since backtracked on that position, and has doubled down on its roots serving tech startups. The spend management space has become more crowded, with fellow Disruptors Ramp and Navan, as well as Expensify, Mesh Payments, Airbase and Center competing for market share. Tech companies laid off more than 191,000 workers in 2023 — a trend that has continued into 2024.

Persons: Brex, Henrique Dubugras, Pedro Francheschi, Francheschi, Ben Gammell, PitchBook Organizations: Ribbit, DST, San, Airbase, Center, Tech Locations: Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Navan

☆ Prosecution seeks to land Trump hush money case as Cohen cross-examination looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“This case is going to turn in large part on the cross-examination of Mr. Cohen. Cohen said that Trump told him: “Women are going to hate me. “This was all about the campaign.” Cohen also testified that Trump said he would not be on the market for long, implying he could get another wife quickly. Throughout his testimony, Cohen said he always kept Trump up to speed with his activities. “Everything required Mr. Trump’s sign-off,” he said, noting the Daniels payment was no exception.

Persons: CNN — “, Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s, Cohen, Trump, ” Ryan Goodman, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Trump, Bernarda Villalona, “, Donald Trump, ”, “ Michael Cohen, David Schoen, ” Schoen, CNN’s Wolf, quagmire, Joe Biden, Judge Juan Merchan, Cohen –, –, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, mulls, “ What’s, Stormy Daniels, Susan Hoffinger, Hoffinger, Daniels, Daniels ’, —, ” Cohen, smirked, Trump’s, ’, ‘, reimbursements Cohen, Allen Weisselberg Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Republican, NYU Law, Trump, New, New York Times, Judge, Alabama, GOP, Ohio Republican, Trump Organization, White House Locations: New York, Siena, York, Ohio

☆ Michael Cohen resumes Trump trial testimony with House Speaker Johnson watching
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Trump will be joined at his criminal trial by House Speaker Mike Johnson, and several other Republican politicians, NBC reported. On Monday, Trump's former lawyer and fixer told jurors that Trump had complained, "This is a disaster!" Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) hold a press conference at Mr. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty ImagesCohen testified that Trump told him to, "Just do it," to keep Daniels quiet. "Fantastic," Trump said after being told that effort had succeeded, keeping another woman quiet about claims that could harm his 2016 campaign, Cohen testified.

Persons: Michael Cohen, Susan Hoffinger, Donald Trump's, Stormy Daniels, Jane Rosenberg, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Johnson, Trump's, Cohen, Joe Raedle, Daniels, Allen Weisselberg, Weisselberg, Karen McDougal, reimbursements Organizations: NBC, Trump, Daniels, Mr, Getty, Trump Organization, National Enquirer Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Louisiana, Lago, Palm Beach , Florida

Little more than two weeks into Donald J. Trump’s presidency, he and his personal lawyer met in the Oval Office for a private conversation about money. “He asked me if I needed money,” Mr. Cohen added, and volunteered that a check would be forthcoming. When monthly checks started arriving — most bearing Mr. Trump’s signature — they disguised the nature of the payments, Mr. Cohen testified. The stubs described the checks as part of a legal “retainer” agreement, but they were in fact reimbursements for hush money that Mr. Cohen had paid to silence a porn star’s story of sex with Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen said that Mr. Trump was present when a plan to fictionalize the records was cooked up weeks earlier in New York.

Persons: Donald J, Trump’s, “, President Trump, Michael D, Cohen, ” Mr, Trump Locations: New York

☆ A 20% home down payment isn't 'the law of the land,' analyst says. Here's how much people are paying
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Tetra Images | Tetra Images | Getty ImagesPutting 20% down is 'definitely not required'One way to reduce your monthly mortgage payment is by putting down more money and borrowing less. But for many households, trying to get a higher down payment can be challenging, said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. While a lower down payment is one way to "attack affordability challenges," it can be a "mixed bag," Hamrick said. With a lower down payment, you will need to borrow more from your lender, which raises the monthly cost of your mortgage, Hale said. A smaller down payment can also mean you don't qualify for a lender's best -available interest rate.

Persons: Danielle Hale, there's, SurveyMonkey, Hale, It's, Hamrick Organizations: CNBC, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Federal Housing Association Locations: U.S

☆ Debt — and delinquencies — are on the rise for Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New data released Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that as household debt balances grew during the first quarter, delinquencies also marched higher. Notably, the percentage of credit card balances in serious delinquency (90 days or more late) climbed to its highest level since 2012. The transitions into delinquency — especially serious delinquency — increased across all debt types, according to the report. Overall household debt grew by 1.1% during the first quarter to $17.69 trillion, according to data that is not adjusted for inflation. Credit card balances dipped (as they typically do post-holidays) by $14 billion to $1.12 trillion.

Persons: delinquencies, Joelle, Delinquencies Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve Bank of New, “, Public Policy Research, New York Fed, Credit Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, York, New

☆ Stripe: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Cnbc.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It hasn't emerged unscathed, seeing its private valuation cut sharply during the startup crash. Stripe was valued at $65 billion as of the tender offer it completed in February, an increase from its last private valuation of $50 billion – albeit still far from its high of $95 billion in 2021. In its annual letter published in March, Stripe revealed that it surpassed $1 trillion in total payment volume in 2023, up 25% from 2022. "Stripe's business is the healthiest it's ever been," president and co-founder John Collison told CNBC in April. Stripe says it's also benefiting from a new wave of optimism in Silicon Valley, even if it isn't primarily an AI company.

Persons: hasn't, John Collison, We're, it's, disruptors OpenAI Organizations: PayPal, CNBC Locations: Silicon Valley

☆ Credit card delinquencies rise as more Gen Z cardholders are maxed out, New York Fed research shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Over the last year, roughly 8.9% of credit card balances transitioned into delinquency, the New York Fed found. Credit card rates top 20%At the same time, credit cards have become one of the most expensive ways to borrow money. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and credit card rates followed suit. "With the Fed likely to keep rates higher for longer, credit card rates should remain high for the foreseeable future," Rossman said. What to do if you're in credit card debt

Persons: Bankrate, Ted Rossman, Rossman Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ Flutterwave: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Cnbc.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Flutterwave is among a wave of startups using technology to fill in the gaps. Flutterwave's ideal customer is a business owner or enterprise seeking to scale operations across Africa and globally. The company expanded into India in September, partnering with IndusInd Bank to make remittances between India and Africa more efficient. Flutterwave also received 13 money transmission licenses in the U.S. in late 2023, expanding its reach to 29 states. The company works with companies such as Alibaba's Alipay, Uber, Netflix and others.

Persons: Flutterwave, Alipay Organizations: IndusInd Bank, Netflix Locations: Africa, India, U.S

☆ High Interest Rates Are Hitting Poorer Americans the Hardest
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Ben Casselman | Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

High interest rates haven’t crashed the financial system, set off a wave of bankruptcies or caused the recession that many economists feared. But for millions of low- and moderate-income families, high rates are taking a toll. More Americans are falling behind on payments on credit card and auto loans, even as many are taking on more debt than ever before. Monthly interest expenses have soared since the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates two years ago. She is making progress, but high rates aren’t helping.

Persons: ”, Ora Dorsey, Ms, Dorsey Organizations: Federal Reserve, Army Locations: Clarksville, Tenn

☆ 10 cities where Social Security and retirement incomes are the highest
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewResidents of some cities in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Texas have the nation's highest retirement income and Social Security benefits. The DC area's high retirement incomes stem mainly from higher pension and IRA incomes instead of Social Security payments, which are lower than many other cities in the top 20. This breaks down into $51,344 in retirement account income and $28,219 in Social Security income. Though not in the top 10 overall, Ann Arbor ranked highest for Social Security income at $30,428, followed closely by Carmel, Indiana, at $30,069. Meanwhile, residents of 14 cities in SmartAsset's study depend on Social Security for over half their retirement income, including Lewisville, Texas, at 54.4%.

Persons: —, they're, Ann Arbor Organizations: Service, Social Security, Survey, Business, Nationwide, AARP, Social, DC, Goodyear Locations: Virginia , Massachusetts, Texas, Arlington , Virginia, Cambridge , Massachusetts, The Woodlands , Texas, Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Cambridge, Berkeley, Highlands, Colorado, Naperville, Illinois, Carmel , Indiana, Southern, Arizona, Sugar, Lewisville , Texas, Spring Hill , Florida, South Bend , Indiana

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