Nervous about a new job? That’s OK. For most job seekers, the phrase “new job” is exciting because it signals opportunities to learn new skills, expand your network, and build your resume. But change can also be intimidating. If you’re scared of a new job, you’re not alone. New-job anxiety is common but conquerable. Certain parts of the job search process can be more terrifying than things…
BitGo Holdings, a provider of digital asset infrastructure, has initiated its initial public offering (IPO). The company, founded in 2013, specializes in secure custody, wallets, staking, trading, and settlement services for institutional clients and investors worldwide. This IPO involves approximately 11.8 million shares of Class A common stock, with BitGo offering 11 million shares directly and existing shareholders contributing the remainder.
The anticipated price range fell somewhere between $15 and $17 per share, potentially valuing the firm at around $1.75 billion at the upper end.
Underwriters, led by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, have an option to acquire an additional 1.77 million shares. BitGo will now list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “BTGO,” marking a step toward broader mainstream adoption for crypto custodians.
This development follows a wave of public listings in the digital assets space.
Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, set the precedent in 2021 with a direct listing that valued it at over $85 billion initially, though it has since navigated sharp price fluctuations tied to Bitcoin’s cycles.
More recently, Circle, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, went public on the NYSE in June 2025, raising $1.05 billion at $31 per share.
Its stock surged dramatically in the early days, reaching highs around $270, but by late 2025, it had retreated to near $70, reflecting ongoing market pressures.
Looking ahead, several other firms are eyeing 2026 debuts. Consensys, a blockchain software company behind MetaMask, is planning an IPO potentially valued at $7 billion.
Animoca Brands, a gaming and NFT powerhouse, is pursuing a NASDAQ reverse merger.
Hardware wallet maker Ledger and trading platform Bullish are also among those “probable” or actively preparing for public offerings, signaling sustained momentum.
Newly launched IPOs, particularly in emerging sectors like digital assets, often exhibit high volatility.
This stems from factors such as speculative trading, economic shifts, and regulatory uncertainties.
For instance, Circle‘s shares doubled shortly after debut but later dropped nearly 70% from peaks, mirroring broader patterns seen in tech IPOs where initial hype gives way to corrections.
In crypto, this is amplified by the asset class’s inherent price swings—Bitcoin’s volatility index frequently exceeds traditional stocks—making these listings riskier for retail investors but attractive for those betting on long-term growth.
Despite these challenges, such IPOs underscore digital assets’ evolution into a core component of modern finance. Once viewed as fringe, cryptocurrencies now facilitate trillions in transactions, with institutions like BlackRock and Fidelity integrating them via ETFs and custody solutions.
Stablecoins like USDC enable seamless cross-border payments, while blockchain tech enhances transparency in lending and trading.
The surge in crypto VC funding to $19.7 billion in 2025 highlights investor confidence, driven by regulatory clarity under pro-crypto policies.
Predictions for 2026 point to further institutional inflows, record M&A, and tokenization of real-world assets, positioning these IPOs as milestones in bridging traditional and decentralized finance.
As firms like BitGo go public in 2026 and beyond, they not only access capital but also legitimize the industry, paving the way for widespread adoption.
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Did anyone ever teach you about money when you were younger?
What’s one money mistake you made in your 20s?
Today, Jay shares the financial lessons he wishes he knew in his twenties. Insights that don’t just change how you handle money, but how you understand it. Jay reveals that most people aren’t actually bad with money, they were simply never taught how to build a healthy, secure relationship with it.
Jay explains how these dynamics affect our financial habits, emphasizing that real financial security begins with mindset and choices, not income. From challenging inherited money beliefs to addressing debt with clarity rather than fear, this episode offers a roadmap to move from financial stress to financial stability.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to Shift from Avoiding Money to Owning It
How to Build a Secure Relationship with Money
How to Invest in Knowledge Before Assets
How to Break Free from Financial Programming
How to Simplify Your Finances When Overwhelmed
Wealth isn’t about looking rich, it’s about living with intention, respecting yourself, and aligning your money with purpose.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose!
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:01 Is It Too Late to Learn Financial Literacy?
04:18 Myth: Money is the Root of All Evil
05:31 #1: It’s About Good Decisions, Not Income
08:20 #2: You Can’t Save What You Don’t Have
11:26 #3: Buying More Won’t Build Wealth
17:14 #4: Don’t Avoid Debt Education
18:25 #5: You’re Not Lazy You’re Just Overwhelmed
19:56 #6: Where Did You Get Your Money Beliefs?
23:52 #7: Generosity Multiplies Wealth
Episode Resources:
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has acquired independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD).
The agreement means that SMP now owns and administers Big Yellow Dog’s catalog of songs and serves as publisher for its roster of songwriters.
Founded in 1998 by Kerry O’Neil and Carla Wallace, Nashville-based Big Yellow Dog Music is home to a catalog of songs that includes Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass, Dear Future Husband, No and Like I’m Gonna Lose You, plus Maren Morris’ The Bones, My Church, 80’s Mercedes and I Could Use A Love Song.
BYD’s catalog also includes songs from the Grammy award-winning album Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves, as well as hits by Chris Stapleton, Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Leon Bridges, MUNA, The Black Keys, Aminé, Leon Thomas, and more.
Over the past 26 years, Big Yellow Dog and its songwriters have achieved recognition across the industry, spanning multiple genres, earning 41 No.1 songs, numerous Grammy awards and nominations, and honors across BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and ACM awards.
Commenting on the deal, Big Yellow Dog Music Co-Founder Kerry O’Neil said: “These last 26 years have been a once-in-a-lifetime journey full of amazing songs, including some worldwide hits.”
“These last 26 years have been a once-in-a-lifetime journey full of amazing songs, including some worldwide hits.”
Kerry O’Neil, Big Yellow Dog Music
Added Kerry O’Neil: “Now it’s time for a new chapter and Carla and I are so pleased to have our friends at Sony carry the torch from here. We know our writers and their great catalog are in sure hands.
“Thank you to Jon, Rusty, Cam and Brian. Most of all, I want to thank Carla for her unique and bold creative leadership over all these years.”
Big Yellow Dog Music Co-Founder Carla Wallace added: “There’s no way to capture 26 years of dancing, creating, and pure joy at Big Yellow Dog Music.”
“It has been a true privilege to partner with one of the most brilliant minds in Nashville, Kerry O’Neil. I know our legacy will continue to thrive in the very best hands with Rusty Gaston and the Sony team.”
Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog Music
Added Wallace: “Sharing each day with an endlessly talented, passionate, and hilarious team has been an unforgettable gift. Championing extraordinary artists, hearing future hits before the world, and watching dreams take flight has been nothing short of magical.
“It has been a true privilege to partner with one of the most brilliant minds in Nashville, Kerry O’Neil. I know our legacy will continue to thrive in the very best hands with Rusty Gaston and the Sony team.”
“Carla and Kerry are two of the most respected publishers in this business, and they have set the bar for independent success in Nashville and beyond.”
Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston said: “Big Yellow Dog has been a Music Row institution for more than a quarter century.
“Carla and Kerry are two of the most respected publishers in this business, and they have set the bar for independent success in Nashville and beyond.
“Their catalog contains some of the most performed songs over the past two decades – songs that haven’t just been hits but have defined careers. It’s an honor to represent this amazing collection of songs and to continue Big Yellow Dog’s legacy with future cuts coming from the catalog and new music from their standout roster.”Music Business Worldwide
As corporate earnings soar and the U.S. GDP balloons, the American workforce isn’t feeling the same boom. American workers are taking home less of the country’s overall wealth, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show, and employment in the U.S. is set to continue to slow.
Labor share, or the portion of the U.S.’s economic output that workers receive through salary and wages, decreased to 53.8% in the third quarter of 2025, its lowest level since the BLS started recording this data in 1947, according to its labor productivity and costs report published last week. In the previous quarter, labor share was at 54.6%. This decade, the labor share average was 55.6%.
That’s despite corporate earnings skyrocketing, with profits for Fortune 500 companies hitting a record $1.87 trillion in 2024. The U.S. GDP grew 4.3% in the third quarter last year, exceeding economists’ predictions.
That growth has not only come at the expense of how much of the pie of wealth workers are taking home, but also how many Americans are in the workforce, economists warn.
“That decline in the share of labor has got to be either falling earnings or falling numbers of people,” Raymond Robertson, a labor economist at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government, told Fortune. “The falling share of income is having to do with the shift towards capital.”
Indeed, there are growing signs that as national income balloons, the U.S. workforce is deflating. Unemployment ticked down to 4.4% in December, but still sits above the 4.1% rate from 12 months before. Moreover, employers added just 584,000 jobs in 2025 compared to 2 million added in 2024.
The stark bifurcation of corporate victories and weak labor data raises concerns among economists of jobless growth jeopardizing the U.S. workforce, as well as a K-shaped economy, where the rich get richer while the poor get poorer, becoming more exaggerated.
“Data right now is very mixed,” Robertson said. “But I think it also all consistently points to this idea that things are getting worse for workers and much better for billionaires.”
Robertson attributes weakening labor share averages to the rise in automation, which he noted is displacing workers, with productivity—a metric essentially measuring worker output—continuing to rise. Third-quarter GDP data showed nonfarm productivity growth soared to an annualized rate of 4.9%.
“All these things, bit by bit, are replacing people, and they’re concentrating income and their share of capital,” he said.
Goldman Sachs analysts Joseph Briggs and Sarah Dong estimated in a report this week, based on Department of Labor job numbers, that AI automation could displace 25% of all work hours. They predicted that over the course of the AI adoption period, a 15% increase in AI-driven productivity would displace 6% to 7% of jobs, and, at its peak, a 1 million increase in unemployed workers.
The displacement is substantial, the analysts said, but said the impacts of automation will be tempered by a wealth of new jobs created as a result of the technological changes.
Automation is expected to be a boon to corporate profits and GDP, expected to boost GDP by 1.5% by 2035, according to a Wharton brief published in September 2025. Early signs indicate AI is already driving productivity gains, with companies who invested $10 million or more in AI reporting significant productivity gains compared to organizations investing less in the technology, according to EY’s U.S. AI Pulse Survey.
Robertson added that growing unemployment, which he expects to see rise over the next few months, keeps wages down, allowing margins and profits to expand.
To be sure, the recent productivity surge has been an “open question,” Morgan Stanley economists wrote in a note to clients this week, not unanimously attributed to increased adoption of AI or automation. The analysts suggested this increase would be cyclical, or vestigates of pandemic-era habits of companies making more from less.
An Oxford Economists research brief published earlier this month suggested companies are disguising overhiring-related layoffs as a result of AI, but said automation-related workforce reductions have not yet happened en masse. Additionally, while unemployment has been ticking up over the past year, it is still relatively low.
Mark Regets, senior fellow at National Foundation for American Policy, sees a different reason for a slowing workforce. He told Fortune President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has not done what Trump administration officials, such as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, said it would in increasing the number of U.S.-born workers. Instead, according to Regets, Trump’s immigration policies have not only decimated the foreign-born workforce, but has also created fewer opportunities for domestic-born workers to find jobs.
The most recent BLS household survey reveals a decline of 881,000 foreign-born workers since January 2025, and a decline of 1.3 million workers since a March 2025 peak, consistent with the Congressional Budget Office’s report last year indicating shrinking U.S. population growth as a result of migrants being deported or refusing to come to the U.S. out of fear of hostile polities.
“The data is raising huge red flags that we are losing immigrants of all types that we otherwise would be advancing America’s economy,” Regets said.
The rising U.S. unemployment rate, up from 3.7% in December 2024 is counterevidence to Miller’s argument that harsher immigration policy would grow the U.S. workforce, he added. In fact, fewer immigrant workers may actually make it harder for U.S.-born individuals to find work.
“A company unable to find the workers it needs for some roles could shut down operations rather than continuing,” Regets said.
He noted that skillset diversity in a workplace could boost productivity and justify employing more people. Greater immigration can also increase consumer spending and stimulate businesses, as well as encourage businesses to take advantage of ample labor market availability and seek out their labor instead of offshoring jobs.
While friendlier immigration policies could help reverse an exodus of foreign-born workers, Robertson said addressing the workplace automation push would be key to growing the U.S. workforce.
“There are trades that are technology-assisted,” he said. “Those are going to be in higher demand, but you really still have to have a significant investment in skills.”
The young generation of workers are already prepared to adapt to a changing labor landscape. Gen Z are flocking to trade schools in hopes of a finding a job as a carpenter or welder not so easily outsourced by AI, and in 2024, enrollment in vocation-based community colleges increased 16%, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.
Companies have taken it upon themselves to provide reskilling opportunities to employees. An Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey from 2024 found that 68% of hiring managers intended to reskill employees at some point during the year, up from 60% in 2021. While the U.S. Department of Labor updated guidelines to encourage states to adapt workplace development systems, Robertson argued the government hasn’t done enough in several decades to imbue the workforce with necessary skillsets for future jobs.
“Democrats and Republicans have not significantly invested in training [or] the retraining or active labor market programs that you need to match workers to jobs,” Robertson said. “That’s the obvious solution.”
Without changes, economists see the pattern of an employment slowdown continuing, but with greater concern about the ability for the U.S. economy to sustain growth.
“We need job growth to have a growing economy, and I think we need job growth to pay our debts,” Regets said. “I don’t know how you have job growth with a shrinking labor force.”
Student loan rates are starting to see lenders battle to have the lowest rate. As of January 13, 2026, private student loan lenders are offering fixed rates as low as 2.69% APR and variable rates starting as low as 3.28% APR, depending on credit profile, degree program, and repayment term.
Ascent Student Loans took the lead this week with the lowest fixed rate loan available. Student Choice is currently offering the lowest variable rate student loan available.
While federal student loan rates are set annually by Congress, private lenders continue to adjust based on market conditions and Treasury yields. Staying current on these changes can save borrowers hundreds (or even thousands) over the life of a loan.
Here are the best private student loan rates today:
|
Lender |
Fixed APR |
Variable APR |
Cosigner Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abe℠ Student Loans |
2.75% – 15.61% |
3.66% – 16.06% |
No |
|
Ascent |
2.69% – 15.31% |
3.99% – 15.40% |
No |
|
College Ave |
2.74% – 17.99% |
3.89% – 17.99% |
Yes
|
|
Sallie Mae |
2.89% – 17.49% |
3.87% – 16.50% |
No |
|
Student Choice |
2.99% – 14.74% |
3.28% – 15.24% |
Optional |
1. Abe℠ Student Loans – Abe offers private student loans to a undergraduate, graduate, and post-bachelor graduate certificate students, with flexible repayment options and no origination, late payment, or forbearance fees. Rates start as low as 2.75% APR. Read our full Abe Student Loans review.
2. Ascent – Ascent Student Loans is a solid choice as a private lender – as they offer both cosigner and non-cosigner loans for undergraduate and graduate students. Rates start as low as 2.69% APR. Read our full Ascent Student Loans Review.
3. College Ave – College Ave Student Loans offers some of the lowest fixed rates on student loans on the market today. They are one of the largest private student loan lenders, and have highly competitive rates on their loans. Rates start as low as 2.74% APR. Read our full College Ave Student Loans review.
4. Sallie Mae – Sallie Mae is probably one of the most well-known lenders on this list. They are the nation’s largest private student loan lender by loan volume. As a result, they also offer some of the most competitive private student loans and parent loans out there. Rates start as low as 2.89% APR. Read our full Sallie Mae review.
5. Student Choice – Student Choice is a service that works with a huge network of credit unions nationwide to match you with low cost student loans offered by credit unions. They currently have some of the lowest variable rate student loans on the market. Rates start as low as 2.99% APR for fixed rates and 3.28% APR for variable rate loans. Read our full Student Choice Student Loans review.
Federal Loans: Remember, the federal student loan interest rates are fixed. They won’t change again until the next academic year.
You can find a full list of the best private student loans here >>
There’s a lot of uncertainty that borrowers don’t like with variable rates, which can make sense, but in a declining rate environment, it also opens the potential for future savings. Here’s what to know:
Most private lenders allow you to check rates without affecting your credit score. Always compare both options before signing.
Before taking out a private student loan, make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing up for.
For most families, borrowing federal student loans first makes the most sense. However, for parents looking at parent PLUS vs. private loans, private loans can make more sense.
At The College Investor, our editorial team reviews student loan rates daily from more than a dozen major lenders. We verify data using official lender disclosures, regulatory filings, and real-time rate sheets.
We only include lenders offering loans to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. All rates are updated regularly and represent the lowest available APRs with autopay discounts applied.
Our coverage is independent and not influenced by compensation. While we may earn a referral fee when you open a loan through certain links, this never affects our editorial recommendations. Our goal is simple: to help you find the most affordable path to borrow responsibly.
How often do private student loan rates change?
Lenders can adjust daily based on bond market movements and Federal Reserve actions, as well as their own competitive goals.
Are private student loans fixed or variable?
You can choose either. Fixed rates offer stability, while variable rates change with the market.
Do private student loans qualify for forgiveness?
No. Only federal student loans are eligible for forgiveness programs like PSLF or IBR.
Is a cosigner always required?
Not always, but most undergraduate borrowers will need one to qualify.
Can I refinance later if rates drop?
Yes. Refinancing can reduce your rate and monthly payment, though you’ll lose federal benefits if you refinance federal loans.
Abe Student Loans
Before applying for a private student loan, DR Bank and Monogram LLC recommend exhausting all financial aid alternatives including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.
The AbeSM student loan is made by DR Bank, Member FDIC (“Lender”). All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to Lender’s underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. LENDER AND MONOGRAM LLC EACH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. TERMS, CONDITIONS AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
* In order to estimate your available rates and loan options, with your authorization, DR Bank will initiate a soft credit inquiry. Soft credit inquiries do not affect your credit. Any rates and loan options offered to you are estimates only.
1Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates): Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) depend upon (1) the student’s and cosigner’s (if applicable) credit histories, (2) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (3) the expected number of years in deferment, (4) the requested loan amount and (5) other information provided on the online loan application Rates and terms are effective as of 01/01/2026. The variable interest rate for each calendar month is calculated by adding the 30-Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) index plus a fixed margin assigned to each loan. The current SOFR index, published on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is 3.875% as of 01/01/2026. The applicable index or margin for variable rate loans may change over time and result in a different APR than shown. The fixed rate assigned to a loan will never change except as required by law or if you request and qualify for an interest rate discount, or receive In-School Default Protection (see footnote 3). APRs displayed as a range: APRs assume a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The low APRs assume a 7-year term, and the Interest-Only Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay (see footnote 2). The high APRs assume a 5-year term with the Interest-Only Repayment option, a 31-month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment.
2Autopay Discount: Earn a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making automatic payments from a bank account (“auto pay discount”) by completing the direct debit form accessible on the Servicer’s website. The auto pay discount is in addition to other discounts. The auto pay discount will be applied after the Servicer validates your bank account information. Automatic payments and the associated discount will be temporarily discontinued (1) if you elect to stop automatic deduction of payments and (2) during periods when you are not required to make payments. The discount will be permanently discontinued in the event three automatic deductions are returned by the financial institution for any reason.
3 In-school Default Protection: Interest Only or Flat Payment Repayment loans that reach at least 90 days delinquent during an in-school deferment period will automatically transition to the Full Deferment Repayment option. Under these circumstances, the interest rate on an original Interest Only loan will increase by one percentage point (1.00%) and the interest rate on an original Flat Payment Repayment loan will increase by one quarter of one percentage point (0.25%). Credit reporting prior to the transition of a loan to the Full Deferment Repayment option will remain on your record. Any unpaid accrued interest at the end of an in-school deferment period may be capitalized in accordance with the Credit Agreement.
4 Loan Amounts: The minimum loan amount is $1,000, except for (a) student applicants who are permanent residents of Iowa in which case the minimum loan amount is $1,001, and (b) student applicants or cosigners who are permanent residents of Massachusetts in which case the minimum loan amount is $6,001. The maximum loan amount to cover in-school expenses for each academic year is determined by the school’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid, as certified by the school. The requested loan amount cannot cause an individual applicant’s aggregate maximum student loan debt (which includes federal and private student loans), to exceed $225,000. On a specialty graduate loan (Dental, Medical, Healthcare, Law and MBA) the loan amount cannot cause the aggregate maximum student loan debt to exceed $350,000.
5 Loan Terms: The 15- and 20- year term and Flat Payment Repayment option (paying $25 per month during in-school deferment) are only available for loan amounts of $5,000 or more. Making interest only or flat interest payments during deferment will not reduce the principal balance of the loan. Payment examples (all assume a 14-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, and the Interest Only Repayment option): 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.30% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $209.04. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 6.50% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $148.49. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 6.35% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $112.76. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 6.30% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $86.02. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and an 8.38% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $86.02.
6 The student borrower has meet certain credit and other criteria, and 12 consecutive monthly principal and interest payments or lump sum payments equal to 12 monthly principal and interest payments must have been received by the Servicer during any 12-month period. While a loan is in a reduced repayment plan or while a request for a reduced payment plan is pending, borrowers are not eligible to apply for cosigner release.
7 The grace period is six months. The grace period begins on the earlier of the date (a) the student borrower graduates, (b) the student borrower ceases to be enrolled, or (c) that is 60 months from the first disbursement date, but in no case, earlier than six months after the first disbursement date. The immediate repayment option does not have a grace period.
Ascent Student Loans
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent‘s Terms and Conditions please visit:
*Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visitAscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 1/1/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, seerepayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
*The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.
Sallie Mae Student Loans
¹Rates displayed are for undergraduate and career training students:
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount: Additional information regarding the auto debit discount: Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. *These rates will be effective 12/26/2025.
Terms:
Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
² For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website may be subjected to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
Editor: Colin Graves
Reviewed by: Richelle Hawley
The post Best Student Loan Rates for January 13, 2026: Low as 2.69% appeared first on The College Investor.
The B.C. Real Estate Association says a total of 4,271 residential units were sold in December, which is about 18.5% lower than the province’s 10-year average for the month, while average prices also fell 5.6% to about $952,000 from just over $1 million in the same month in 2024.
The value of overall home sales was also down 14.5% to about $4.1 billion from December 2024.
The association says Greater Vancouver saw 1,527 homes sold in December 2025, down 12.5% from the previous year — the largest drop reported among regions in B.C.
Victoria saw a 10.6% drop with 346 homes sold in the last month, while the Okanagan saw a 7.7% gain with 476 residential transactions.
Association chief economist Brendon Ogmundson says in a statement that sales across B.C. are “recovering at different rates” from the economic uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, and realtors are hopeful for more stability in 2026 to strengthen demand.
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Last modified: January 13, 2026
Banking giant SMBC Americas is deploying AI solutions from fintech Fenergo to streamline KYC, AML and client lifecycle management at the $2.1 trillion bank.
The deployment comes as part of a multiyear transformation aimed at “simplifying the technology infrastructure and removing manual processes,” SMBC Americas Chief Operating Officer Greg Keeley stated in a Jan. 7 release.
Financial institutions are seeing up to 80% reductions in manual review times for KYC and AML compliance with the fintech’s AI solution, according to Fenergo.
The compliance service provider is also helping banks achieve up to 70% faster client onboarding and 50% fewer KYC remediation cycles by “automating data extraction, client verification and risk scoring,” Fenergo Director of Thought Leadership Tracy Moore told FinAi News.
“AI-driven insights also enhance risk detection accuracy, helping institutions identify potential AML issues earlier and with greater precision,” she said.
Fenergo’s clients include:
Read more on Fenergo leadership here.
Fenergo is not the only fintech addressing growing demand for AI-driven compliance solutions in financial services.
Fenergo develops its platform internally and works with Amazon Web Services to power its AI tools securely and at scale, “ensuring financial institutions benefit from the latest advancements in cloud and machine learning technology,” Moore said.
“Our AI is delivered through Fenergo’s cloud-based SaaS platform, with flexible API integration so institutions can easily connect it to their existing systems.”
— Tracy Moore, Fenergo
“Our approach to AI is built with strong governance and transparency, giving financial institutions full oversight and control over how AI-driven insights are used in KYC, onboarding and compliance processes,” she said.
It typically takes between six to 12 weeks for the compliance tool to be fully integrated in banking operations, although it varies based on the size of the institution, Moore said.
To minimize disruptions during the implementation phase, Fenergo works “hand-in-hand” with each institution to design the right operating model for their specific needs, she said.
“We also reduce friction through open APIs, guided onboarding and AI-driven automation, which simplify integration, data migration and process setup,” she said.
The global market for generative AI in financial services is projected to more than double to $5.1 billion in 2029 from $1.9 billion in 2025, according to the Business Research Company, citing compliance-solutions demand as a key growth driver.
Fenergo uses gen AI for specific areas in its platform to enhance efficiency and decision-making, Moore said.
“For example, generative AI helps automate document summarization, data extraction and the generation of risk narratives or client due diligence summaries, all underpinned by strong governance and human oversight.”
— Tracy Moore, Fenergo
While gen AI presents significant opportunities to bolster KYC workflows, there are several associated risks, according to credit analysis and financial solutions provider Moody’s, including:
Thus, FIs must use trusted KYC databases for machine learning, integrate global data, maintain human oversight and update systems as needed, according to Moody’s.
Many financial institutions including Ally Financial, Grasshopper, University of Michigan Credit Union and TD are deploying gen AI tech to fight money laundering and KYC processes, according to FinAi News’ prior reporting.
Register here by Jan. 16 for early bird pricing for the inaugural FinAi Banking Summit, taking place March 2-3 in Denver. View the full event agenda here.
As we move into 2026, many leaders are fretting about the uncertain business environment. Given the transformational nature of AI, geopolitical instability, or economic disruption, it’s hard to plan for the future. According to an academic project that has tracked global economic policy uncertainty since the 1980s, the five highest measurements of uncertainty recorded since the study began have all come in the past five years. Mentions of uncertainty in Glassdoor reviews are up 80% year over year. And the word itself appeared in 87% of public earnings statements in early 2025.
Hilton Honors has launched its first global promotion of 2026. If you have travel planned between now and the end of April, this is a good opportunity to accelerate your progress toward your next free night by easily earning more points.
Whether you are heading to a luxury Waldorf Astoria or a quick roadside Hampton Inn, every stay will earn you an extra 2,000 points. While that’s not a huge bonus, it is an easy one. Check out the details below.
The “Points Unlimited” promotion is straightforward and designed for maximum flexibility. Here is what you earn:
PROMO PAGE
This promotion is an easy one and it works best for travelers who prefer short, frequent stays. Since the bonus is per stay rather than per night, travelers doing one-night hops will see the highest return on investment.
But it’s worth noting again that you should not go chasing bonus points through this promotion. At a baseline valuation of 0.4 cents per Hilton point, this is essentially a $8 rebate on every stay, on top of your base points and elite status bonuses. That’s not much, but still I wouldn’t want to miss out on points for stays I have already planned.
