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The Federal Reserve cut its interest rates one month ago, on September 18. One month ago, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points — the first Fed rate cut since early 2020. High-yield savings account rates at bigger banks — such as Ally, Synchrony, and BMO Alto — have fallen below 5% interest, but they're still significantly higher than average savings account interest rates. High-yield checking account rates earn up to 7% APYThe best high-yield checking accounts have been impacted the least by Fed rate cuts. Featured High Interest Checking Account Offers Compare checking accounts that offer high APYs, rewards on debit card purchases, or both.

Persons: LendingClub, Synchrony, they're, we've Organizations: Federal Reserve, Here's, Newtek Bank, BMO Alto, Money Market, Federal Credit Union Locations: Pibank, U.S

☆ Apple is still waiting for a killer app for the Apple Vision Pro. It may have to wait for some time.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple first showed off the Apple Vision Pro in June 2023, hoping developers would build awesome apps for it when it went on sale in January. Specifically: Where are the apps for the Apple Vision Pro, the $3,500 headset Apple introduced earlier this year? This is a question we've asked repeatedly, and the answer seems to be pretty consistent: Developers aren't leaping to build anything for Apple Vision Pro because they don't think many people are using Apple Vision Pro. But if developers don't build for the Apple Vision Pro, then there's never going to be any reason for people to buy an Apple Vision Pro. Overall, there are about 1,770 apps for the Vision Pro in Apple's App Store , according to Appfigures' count.

Persons: don't, —, we've, there's, That's, Appfigures, Tim Cook, I've, Mark Gurman, Apple, Song Organizations: Apple, Apple Vision Pro, Service, Apple Vision, Vision, Orion

☆ 4 mistakes to avoid making when interacting with coworkers, according to an etiquette coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Alyshia Hull | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Business Insider asked an etiquette coach about mistakes to avoid when interacting with coworkers. Being punctual and mindful of your body language are key ways to demonstrate respect in the office. AdvertisementFrom spreading gossip to showing up late to meetings, employees often make subtle missteps when interacting with coworkers. That's why Business Insider sat down with etiquette coach Mariah Grumet to learn about what to avoid when interacting with colleagues. Pay attention to your body language when interacting with colleaguesBody language can often serve as an indicator of your respect toward others.

Persons: punctual, —, Mariah Grumet, Grumet, it's Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Gen Z workers say stereotypes are holding them back. It's a problem for companies too.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gen Z behavior was shaped by missing formative years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gen Z has a lot to offer companies who know how to nurture it, experts told BI. But many Gen Zers don't agree with them, and some believe they are holding them back at work. Chang said Gen Zers prioritize companies that offer perks such as mental health days and wellness workshops. Some companies are already doing this and making themselves attractive to Gen Z talent.

Persons: Z, —, Zers don't, Max Jones, It's, Richard Wahlquist, Boppana, Gen Zers, I've, she'd, Claude Akinsanya, Zers, Akinsanya, Gen, Rhea Moss, Gen Z, " Moss, Jones, Jeanie Y, Chang, Forbes, Chipotle, Moss Organizations: Service, American Staffing Association, Accenture, Nike, Morning Locations: London

☆ China's retirement crisis is here, and Beijing will be forced to keep raising the retirement age, demographer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has no choice but to keep raising the retirement age for workers, according to Yi Fuxian. AdvertisementChina has a retirement crisis on its hands, and the nation will probably be forced to keep raising the retirement age for workers to stave off demographic imbalances, according to a demographer. Those trends led China to recently raise the mandatory retirement age for workers, the first time the nation has raised its retirement age in decades. "Given the severity of its demographic crisis, China will need to keep raising its retirement age, potentially fueling civil unrest and political instability," Yi said. China's main pension fund could be depleted by 2035, according to a 2019 estimate from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Persons: Yi Fuxian, —, Fuxian, Yi Organizations: Service, Syndicate, Bank, nation's Ministry of Civil Affairs, China National, Ageing, United Nations, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Reuters Locations: China

☆ Bitcoin is on a tear as 'crypto president' Trump's betting-market odds climb
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Bitcoin has surged 12% as Trump's election odds in betting markets began rising in mid-September. Trump's crypto-friendly stance has boosted investor enthusiasm for bitcoin as his betting odds rise. According to the betting website Polymarket, Trump's odds of winning the Presidential election in November bottomed on September 18. Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani said last month that a Trump win could be monumental for the crypto industry. Bitcoin might be ultimately front-running a potential Trump win in November, with the cryptocurrency up 59% year-to-date.

Persons: Bitcoin, bitcoin, —, Donald Trump, Trump, Kamala Harris, bettors, Stanley Druckenmiller, Bernstein, Gautam Chhugani, Chhugani, He's, he'd Organizations: Trump, Service, Billionaire, Bloomberg, Conference, Bitcoin Conference, Liberty Locations: United States

☆ Bank bosses aren't worried about lower interest rates — and even see some upside
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Wall Street's biggest banks face a less profitable lending environment as interest rates fall. Bank bosses shrugged off those concerns this week and pointed to several benefits of lower rates. AdvertisementLending threatens to become far less lucrative for Wall Street's biggest banks as interest rates fall. But he said the Fed's jumbo rate cut might have sparked more activity in debt capital markets recently. AdvertisementCEO David Solomon said the Fed's first rate cut has raised hopes of avoiding a US recession, which could translate into more economic activity.

Persons: shrugged, —, Alistair Borthwick, Banks, Jane Fraser, Fraser, Mark Mason, Wells, Charles Scharf, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Sharon Leshaya, Citi's Fraser, Jeremy Barnum, Barnum, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, BoA, Goldman Organizations: Bank, Service, Wall, Federal Reserve, Bank of America, Citigroup, Citi Locations: refi

Learn moreWhile Amazon Prime Day may not live rent-free in your head, it does for me. Multi-day battery lifeCheck mark icon A check mark. Comes with additional fill if you prefer a firmer pillowCheck mark icon A check mark. With Amazon Prime Big Deal Days out of the way for 2024, the next Amazon Prime-member exclusive deal event isn't until Prime Day 2025. You don't necessarily need to be an Amazon Prime member to score any of the discounts above or the deals on Amazon's deals page.

Persons: Dolby, It's Organizations: Business, Amazon, Deal, Coop Home, Amazon Fire, Amazon Apple, Keurig's Express, Amazon Prime

☆ How Blackstone made 18,000 workers owners of their HVAC company
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Earlier this year, Blackstone rolled out an ownership plan for employees of HVAC company Copeland. The newest rage in private equity seeks to flip that model on its head by offering employees equity on top of their regular salaries. Success in private equity is often evaluated by how much money a deal generates compared to the initial investment. Joe Baratta, global head of private equity at Blackstone BlackstoneAcross the industry, high interest rates have squeezed returns and exit opportunities. KKR's global cohead of private equity, Pete Stavros, also helped found the nonprofit Organizing Works to encourage the adoption of this model across the private equity industry and beyond.

Persons: Blackstone, Copeland, Here's, —, Ross Shuster, Shuster, Stuart Dalgleish, Joe Baratta, Dalgleish, we've, Copeland's Shuster, outsized, Pete Stavros, KKR's Stavros, NPR's, Ted, Stavros, Josh Ryan, Leonard Green, Axel Springer Organizations: Service, Business, Blackstone, Emerson Climate Technology, Blackstone ., BI, Human, Emerson Electric, Employees, Merlin Entertainment, Blackstone Blackstone, KKR, CHI, NPR, GeoStabilization, Leonard Green & Partners Locations: New York City, Manhattan

Meta terminated employees who used $25 Grubhub credits meant for office meals on non-food items. Meta employees reacted to the news on the company's Blind channel. The Grubhub meal perk is meant to support Meta employees at locations where free meals aren't provided by a cafeteria, or when employees work into the evening. "They violated a 'follow this rule or you will be terminated' policy, and they were terminated. Another Meta employee referenced Mark Zuckerberg's "year of efficiency" strategy in assessing the recent firings.

Persons: —, Grubgate, Read, Mark Zuckerberg's Organizations: Service, Meta, Business, Grubgate, Reality Labs Locations: Meta

☆ Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff slams Microsoft's Copilot again, calling it 'disappointing'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Marc Benioff criticized Microsoft's Copilot again, calling it "disappointing" and inaccurate. The Salesforce CEO slammed Microsoft's AI assistant in an X post, saying, "It just doesn't work." AdvertisementMarc Benioff has criticized Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, for the second time in as many months. The Salesforce chief called Copilot "disappointing" in a post on X. Salesforce has launched its own AI assistant called Einstein Copilot. On both occasions, Benioff compared Microsoft's Copilot to Clippy — the discontinued animated paperclip that offered suggestions in applications including Word.

Persons: Marc Benioff, Microsoft's Copilot, Microsoft's, —, Copilot, Salesforce, Einstein, Clippy, Benioff, Gartner, Microsoft didn't Organizations: Service, Gartner, Microsoft, Business

☆ Kamala Harris defends her economic plan and insists she won't be more of Joe Biden in a tense interview with Fox News
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Brad Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Host Bret Baier pressed Harris on a survey in which respondents said the US was on the wrong track. Harris touted her economic plans and said her presidency wouldn't be a continuation of Joe Biden's. AdvertisementKamala Harris faced off with Fox News host Bret Baier on Wednesday — and things got tense quickly. Harris said Trump's economic plan would "ignite inflation" and lead to a recession by the middle of next year. Related storiesBaier, who hosts "Special Report with Bret Baier," again cited the poll and pushed Harris to explain how she'd be different from Biden.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Bret Baier, Harris, wouldn't, Joe Biden's, —, Baier, Donald Trump, he'd, what's, Joe Biden, I'm, Harris didn't, Trump Organizations: Fox News, Service, Biden, Marquette Law, Trump, Republicans Locations: Mexico

Meta terminated some employees who abused a Grubhub perk, a source confirmed to BI. AdvertisementMeta recently fired some employees for misusing a Grubhub meal perk, according to a person familiar with the situation. Roughly two dozen employees were terminated for abusing the company's meal credit system, this person said. This episode has been discussed at length in recent days by some Meta employees on Blind, an online workforce forum. Business Insider reviewed these Blind discussions, including screenshots of some discussions that took place in a section of the app only accessible to Meta employees.

Persons: Meta, — Organizations: BI, Service, Meta, FT, Business, Reality Labs Locations: Los Angeles

☆ 'Modern Family' star Julie Bowen has a tip for starting conversations with her teenage sons that works like 'magic'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"Modern Family" star Julie Bowen struggles to connect with her teenage sons sometimes. AdvertisementJulie Bowen knows the pain of raising teenage boys but she's finally mastered the art of starting a conversation with them. The "Modern Family" star has three teenage sons — Oliver, 17, and twins John and Gustave, 15 — whom she shares with her ex-husband Scott Phillips. And you're going to miss that moment if you aren't doing some lurking." "Stay calm during emotional conversations so as to not shut it down, and avoid intrusive questions, judgment, criticism, and lectures."

Persons: Julie Bowen, —, she's, Andy Richter, Bowen, — Oliver, John, Gustave, Scott Phillips, It's, Laura Eidlitz, Eidlitz Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Brooklyn

☆ Jim Cramer says investors too worried about the Fed's next move are missing opportunities
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Thursday said some investors are missing market opportunities because they are too focused on what the Federal Reserve will do next when it comes to interest rates. "I'm not saying the stock market will never go down when the Fed's easing," he said. But Blackstone reported an impressive quarter, and the stock reached a new all-time high, up more than 6% by the close. He also referenced the turbulence this week in the semiconductor space — triggered by a bad quarter from Dutch chipmaker ASML on Tuesday — saying investors' Fed worries may have scared them out of expensive stocks. "Everyone who's obsessed with the Fed's next foray is basically investing with blinders on, and as a result, they're missing out on some of the greatest moves I've ever seen in my life," Cramer said.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, I'm, Jay Powell, Blackstone, ASML, Jensen, they're, I've, Cramer Organizations: Federal Reserve, Blackstone, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor

☆ An expert in how microplastics affect our health does 6 things to avoid them at home
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Serafina Kenny | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She told Business Insider that the study of microplastics initially started in marine biology. GettyResearch suggests that microplastics could contribute to the development or worsening of health issues such as asthma, Couceiro said. Don't microwave food in a plastic containerCouceiro tries to remove food from plastic packaging before microwaving it whenever she can. AdvertisementOne way to reduce the number of microplastics you're exposed to is to stop microwaving food in plastic containers. Avoid plastic cookwareSwapping plastic kitchen utensils for wooden and metal ones can be a good way to reduce exposure to microplastics, Couceiro said.

Persons: Fay Couceiro, microplastics, Couceiro, Getty Organizations: Service, Portsmouth University, UK, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Getty Research, Getty, Environmental Science, Technology

☆ Kristen Bell says her kids aren't 'Frozen' fans, but like that it'll pay for their college
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kristen Bell, who played Anna in the "Frozen" movies, said her kids don't like them. "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" both made more than $1 billion, among the most successful animations ever. AdvertisementKristen Bell says her kids don't like the "Frozen" movies, but know they are what will fund them through college. The star, who recently appeared in Netflix's "Nobody Wants This," didn't say how much she was paid for "Frozen" and "Frozen 2." It was beaten by two other Disney movies: 2019's "The Lion King," which made $1.

Persons: Kristen Bell, Anna, —, Bell, Arendelle, Dax Shepherd, they're, Disney, King Organizations: Service, Office Mojo, Disney

☆ CD, Checking, and Savings Rates Today: Supercharge Your Savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

See more savings account bonuses »Leading Checking & Savings Combo Account BonusSoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC)Earn up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (offer expires 12/31/24, terms apply). See more savings account bonuses »Leading Checking & Savings Combo Account BonusSoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC)Earn up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (offer expires 12/31/24, terms apply). High-Yield Savings AccountsThe best high-yield savings accounts provide the security of a savings account with the added bonus of a high APY. A checking account is like a hub for your money: If your paycheck is direct deposited, it's typically to a checking account. 2-Year CDsThe best 2-year CD rates will be slightly lower than 1-year and no-penalty CD rates.

Persons: APYs, —, Cash, we've Organizations: Federal Reserve, FDIC, Cash Locations: —

☆ Exclusive: The cofounder of GroupMe and Splice is taking on the $180 billion supplement industry with new startup SuppCo
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Steve Martocci, cofounder of GroupMe, Blade, and Splice, is back with a new consumer health app. His startup, SuppCo, helps people find trusted supplements and track their health progress. The startup, called SuppCo, just raised a $5.5 million seed round co-led by Union Square Ventures and True Ventures, and including BoxGroup and Compound. SuppCoBuilding consumer trustMartocci first started taking supplements after GroupMe sold to Skype, when he was struggling with his health and weight. He clarified that SuppCo will never sell its users' data, and won't rely on ad revenue or notch partnerships with supplement companies.

Persons: Steve Martocci, —, Martocci, he's, Martocci's, she'd, Nick Michlewicz, Bryan Johnson, Joe, Adam D'Augelli, GroupMe, SuppCo's, Michlewicz, SuppCo, Nick Michlewicz's, what's, Andy Weissman Organizations: Union Square Ventures, True Ventures, Service, East, TechCrunch, Skype, Square Ventures, Ventures, Food and Drug Administration Locations: New York

☆ Taylor Swift shook off publishers for her new book. That could spell trouble for the rest of the industry.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Samantha Grindell | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Taylor Swift is self-publishing "The Eras Tour Book" and releasing it exclusively at Target. By excluding traditional publishers, Swift ensured she would get more of the book's revenue. With her latest announcement, the singer is back to her business-disrupting playbook with "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book." AdvertisementIn what most closely resembles her book deal, Swift self-produced last year's "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" film. "Obviously, Taylor Swift is sort of a case under herself for this stuff in terms of just her reach," Hane said.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, —, she's, it's, Clayton Durant, Simon &, Erik Hane, they're, It's, Ashok Kumar, Courtney Maum, Jessica Maddox, Gareth Cattermole, Maddox, Hane, Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Durant, vinyls, Taylor, John Shearer, Beyoncé, Paul Dergarabedian Organizations: Target, Service, Taylor Swift Publications, Nation School of Music, Sports, Entertainment, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Hachette —, Literary, University of Alabama, Department, Universal Music, Big, Bloomberg, Poets Department, AMC, Mojo, Disney Locations: Long, Target, London, TikTok, Milan

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-Year Mortgage Rates TodayAverage 30-year mortgage rates are hovering near 6.15%, according to Zillow data. 15-Year Mortgage Rates TodayAverage 15-year mortgage rates are in the mid-5% range, according to Zillow data. Average Refinance Mortgage Rates TodayRefinance rates are a bit higher this month after dropping in September. Last month, 30-year refinance rates averaged 5.89%, while 15-year refinance rates were around 5.19%.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's, refinance Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ The hot new longevity treatment for aging athletes and CEOs is a plasma exchange
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Plasma exchange therapy is gaining popularity as a wellness trend among longevity-seekers. AdvertisementA medical treatment used for health emergencies and autoimmune disorders is becoming the hot new wellness trend for CEOs, athletes, and other longevity-seekers. He told Business Insider it helps remove toxins, some related to aging, that accumulate over time. Should you get a plasma exchange for longevity? Undergoing plasma treatment at a longevity clinic may not make sense for several reasons.

Persons: —, Bryan Johnson, Peter Diamandis, Troy Aikman, Jonathann Kuo, Kuo, Brian Adkins, Adkins, Ryan Marino, Johnson, It's, Marino Organizations: Service, NFL, Extension Health, Conboy, University of California, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Locations: Berkeley, Barre

☆ United Airlines takes a shot at Delta's IT meltdown: 'Healthy businesses don't make excuses'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Benjamin Zhang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

United Airlines did not mention the cost of July's CrowdStrike IT outage in its earnings report. United executives took a subtle jab at Delta by highlighting their "no excuses" philosophy. "Healthy businesses don't make excuses about CrowdStrike, don't make excuses about weather," CFO Mike Leskinen said on the company's Wednesday earnings call. 'No excuses' is at the core of United's philosophyCEO Scott Kirby said United's "no excuses" ideology stems from his days as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. Related stories"The best thing I learned was 'no excuses, ma'am, no excuses, sir,'" Kirby said on the call.

Persons: —, Mike Leskinen, It's, United's, Scott Kirby, Kirby, United Organizations: Airlines, United, Service, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United States Air Force Academy Locations: Crowdstrike, Texas, New York

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,I am wealthy, and my friends always hint about their money problems. I don't know what to do. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, I've, you've, it's, doesn't Organizations: Business, Service Locations: Maui, tiptoe

☆ I'm a millennial making $120,000 a year. I rent because buying a home in Florida is so costly and would be too much work.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jorge Argota, 35, runs his own digital marketing agency in Miami and made about $120,000 last year. For me, renting an apartment in Miami is more affordable than buying a nice house with a $3,000 or $4,000 mortgage. Argota and his brother pay $2,300 a month for a two-bedroom in this Miami apartment complex. I've also had many friends who have had to move further north in Florida because it's impossible for them to pay rent or buy a home in Miami. So, if I can't buy a house in Miami, I might consider moving to another state.

Persons: Jorge Argota, Argota, —, Zillow, We've, Jorge Argota Little, dominos, I've Organizations: Service, Miami Locations: Miami, Florida, COVID, New York , California, Texas, Little Havana, Jorge Argota Little Havana, Cuban

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