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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card ($1,500 Bonus, $295 Annual Fee)


American Express has launched the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card. It’s slightly different than the rumored card with a $295 annual fee. 

Card Details

  • $1,500 sign up bonus after you spend $50,000 on purchases within the first six months
  • $295 annual fee, not waived first year
  • Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases and 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Online

Our Verdict

I’m not sure I understand the use case for this card apart from the sign up bonus. The Chase Ink Premier is objectively better earning 2% on all purchases with a $195 annual fee and 2.5% back on purchases above $5,000. Capital One Spark cash is 2% on all purchases and a $95 annual fee. 

That being said the sign up bonus is interesting, if you spend exactly $50,000 you’d earn $1,500 from the sign up bonus and then another $1,000 from the spend itself for $2,500 (minus the $295 annual fee). 

Again I don’t see any use case where actually keeping this card beyond the first year makes any sense either. I suspect it’s targeted towards businesses with a large amount of credit card spend that just want to set and forget these purchases but still earn at a high rate and have some cash flow flexibility. 

Will add the bonus to our best credit card bonuses. More rumored and expected cards can be found here.

 

20 Best Companies With Flexible Jobs for Seniors and Older Workers


Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.

Big-name companies like Home Depot, Merck, and Verizon offer flexible jobs for seniors and older workers, but they’re just a few of many age-friendly employers. Flexible work helps older professionals keep earning, protect their health, and transition toward retirement in a way that works for them.

Read on for companies hiring older workers and tips for finding flexible, senior-friendly roles in today’s job market.

Why Does Flexible Work Matter for Older Workers?

Flexible work matters for older workers because it gives seniors a practical way to keep working, earning, and easing into retirement on their own terms. The key benefits of flexible work for older professionals include:

  • Reducing physical strain in skilled trades, healthcare, and other demanding roles without forcing full retirement
  • Allowing seniors to keep earning income and building savings while protecting their long-term health
  • Providing greater accessibility for older adults with disabilities or changing schedule needs, making continued work more sustainable

Importantly, demand is there. A FlexJobs report on generational differences in the workplace found that boomers prioritize remote work options (46%), work-life balance (40%), and autonomy over schedule (32%).

Together, these preferences highlight that flexible jobs are empowering, convenient, and ideal for many older workers.

What Companies Hire Older Workers?

Many employers recognize the value, experience, and reliability older professionals bring to the workforce. Since 2005, the Age-Friendly Institute has identified companies committed to being the best places for people over the age of 50 to work. Hundreds of companies have earned its Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) distinction.

The 20 companies in this list are recognized by the Age-Friendly Institute and are hiring for flexible and remote jobs. Whether you’re starting fresh or bringing existing experience into a more flexible role, featured opportunities span entry-level through executive positions.

1. AARP

AARP is a nonprofit organization that advocates for people age 50 and older and provides career resources, including AARP jobs for seniors, along with programs, discounts, and support services.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Government Grants Director
  • Investment Analyst

2. Allied Universal

Allied Universal offers security services and systems, janitorial services, and staffing services for a wide range of industries.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Physical Security Project Manager
  • Security Shift Supervisor

3. Bright Horizons

Bright Horizons provides employer-sponsored childcare, early education, and workforce support services for working families.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Educational Quality Manager
  • Enterprise Provider Account Manager

4. Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures medications for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious conditions.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Senior Director

5. Carrot Fertility

Carrot Fertility is a digital health company that offers fertility, family-building, and hormonal health benefits to employers and employees worldwide.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Event Marketing Manager
  • Senior Director of Communications

6. Citizens Financial Group

Citizens Financial Group is a national bank that provides consumer and business banking, lending, and wealth management services.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Finance Analyst
  • Home Mortgage Pricing Oversight Manager

7. H&R Block

H&R Block is a tax preparation and financial services company that helps individuals and businesses file taxes and manage their finances.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Associate Sales Executive
  • Product Support Manager, Assisted Tax Preparation

8. Home Depot

Home Depot is a home improvement retailer that sells building materials, tools, appliances, and home services to consumers and professionals.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Analyst, Space Planning
  • Senior Consultant, Organizational Effectiveness – Assessments

9. Humana

Humana is a health insurance and healthcare services company that offers medical coverage, wellness programs, and senior-focused healthcare solutions.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Care Coordinator
  • Registered Nurse Case Manager

10. Kelly

Kelly is a staffing and workforce solutions company that connects job seekers with temporary, contract, and permanent employment opportunities.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Contract Review Specialist
  • Recruitment Coordinator

11. Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical company that develops medicines, vaccines, and health products for people and animals.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Institutional Customer Representative
  • Senior Territory Representative

12. MetLife

MetLife is an insurance and financial services company that offers life, dental, disability, and retirement solutions.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Business Procedures Consultant II
  • Legal Assistant

13. New York Life

New York Life is a life insurance and financial planning company that provides investment, retirement, and protection products.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Associate Advisor Consultant
  • Senior Representative, Case Analyst

14. Premier Inc.

Premier Inc. is a healthcare improvement company that provides technology, consulting, and supply chain solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Account Support Manager
  • Software Engineer

15. Randstad

Randstad is a global staffing and recruiting company that provides workforce solutions and talent placement across industries.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Business Development Manager – Staffing
  • Senior Account Manager

16. ServiceLink

ServiceLink is a mortgage services company that supports lenders and servicers with title, valuation, and closing solutions.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Staff Accountant, Accounting and Finance
  • Vendor Onboarding Coordinator

17. Staples

Staples is an office supply and business services retailer that offers workplace products, technology, and print and marketing solutions.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • B2B Sales Consultant, Commercial
  • Business Development Executive, Technology

18. The Vanguard Group

The Vanguard Group is an investment management company that provides mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), retirement accounts, and financial advisory services.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Communications Strategy Specialist
  • Extended Hours Client Representative

19. UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a healthcare and insurance company that delivers medical coverage, pharmacy benefits, and healthcare services.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Billing Representative
  • Field Care Coordinator

20. Verizon

Verizon is a telecommunications company that provides wireless services, internet connectivity, and technology solutions for consumers and businesses.

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Senior Manager – Product Development – Management
  • Technical Operations Engineer III

6 Steps for Finding Work-From-Home Jobs for Seniors and Older Workers

To find jobs as an older worker, focus on flexible employers, update your resume, lead with skills, and target roles that value experience and reliability. Here are six practical steps you can take to identify legitimate job openings, strengthen your application, and position your experience as a competitive advantage in today’s job market:

Step 1: Target Age-Friendly Flexible Employers and Jobs

You can start with this list and other companies identified by the Age-Friendly Institute, but beyond that, look for companies that emphasize flexibility, retention, mentorship, or team leadership. These workplaces tend to appreciate reliability, institutional knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Job descriptions that highlight collaboration, customer relationships, training, or leadership are often good signs that experience is respected rather than overlooked.

Flexible work options can also make a major difference. Many experienced professionals prefer roles that protect their time, energy, or health. Consider filtering job searches for:

  • Part-time roles
  • Hybrid or remote jobs
  • Seasonal or project-based work
  • Contract or consulting opportunities

Step 2: Update and Streamline Your Resume

A modern resume for an older worker is one of the most effective ways to stay competitive. Start with a clean, simple format using modern fonts and clear section headings. Focus on results and contributions instead of listing every responsibility you’ve ever held.

In most cases, prioritize your most recent and relevant 10 to 15 years of experience. Earlier roles can be summarized in a short section or removed unless they directly support your current goals. This keeps your resume focused and easier for employers to scan.

Also, update your skills section to reflect current tools and technology. Replace outdated systems with ones you actually use today, such as:

  • Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
  • Zoom or Microsoft Teams
  • Slack or project management tools
  • Industry-specific platforms

If you’re changing industries, lean into transferable skills. Leadership, operations, training, budgeting, customer relations, scheduling, and project coordination carry value across fields, so make those strengths easy to see.

Step 3: Lead With Skills and Results, Not Years

Employers want to understand the value you can bring right now, but age bias can still influence hiring decisions. When an application or resume heavily emphasizes decades of experience, some employers may shift their focus toward assumptions about age, salary expectations, or adaptability instead of the strengths you offer.

To keep the focus on your impact rather than total years worked, remove graduation dates from older degrees or certifications, and prioritize your most recent and relevant experience. In your bullet points, highlight what you’ve improved, built, solved, or led. This keeps the emphasis on your contributions and capabilities.

For example, instead of leading with a broad statement like “20+ years in administration,” shift the focus to outcomes and strengths:

Streamlined office operations by implementing new scheduling and tracking systems, improving efficiency and reducing delays.

And instead of “Extensive management experience,” write something along the lines of:

Led a cross-functional team of 12, introduced new training processes, and improved retention and onboarding consistency.

This approach doesn’t hide your experience. It shows how that experience translates into value today, which is ultimately what most employers are looking for when they decide who to interview.

Step 4: Use Your Network Strategically

Reach out to former coworkers, managers, clients, or industry contacts and let them know what you’re looking for. You don’t need a long explanation. A simple, clear message works best, such as:

I’m exploring part-time or remote work in training, project coordination, or customer support. If you hear of anything or know someone I should connect with, I’d appreciate it.

This kind of outreach often leads to opportunities much faster than applying online. It can also open doors to advisory, mentoring, or project-based work that fits your schedule better than traditional full-time roles.

Step 5: Consider Bridge Roles or Consulting Work

If you’re stepping back from a demanding career, you don’t have to leave your expertise behind. Bridge roles allow you to stay engaged while reducing stress, hours, or physical strain.

Bridge roles often include:

  • Consulting or advisory work
  • Training or mentoring
  • Contract or project-based assignments
  • Tutoring, coaching, or education support
  • Quality assurance or review roles

For example:

  • A construction supervisor might shift into safety training, estimating, or project consulting.
  • A teacher could move into tutoring, curriculum support, or education consulting.
  • A healthcare professional might transition into case review, patient education, or administrative coordination.

Step 6: Stay Alert for Job Scams

Unfortunately, job scams often target people searching for flexible or remote work. Staying cautious can protect both your time and your finances.

Be wary of roles that:

  • Promise very high pay for minimal work
  • Ask for upfront fees or equipment purchases
  • Request banking information early in the process
  • Have vague job descriptions or no clear company presence

Legitimate employers won’t ask for payment or sensitive personal information before you’re formally hired. If something feels rushed or unclear, research the company, look for a real website and LinkedIn presence, and verify the job posting before moving forward.

AI robots could cost $13,000 by 2035: Here’s what that means for CFOs



Good morning. AI is escaping the screen and that should be setting off both alarms and opportunities in the finance function.

Deloitte’s new CFO Guide to Tech Trends 2026 explores how finance leaders can think strategically about emerging technologies and embrace what’s possible, which in turn elevates their function’s value and helps shape what’s next for their entire organization.

One tech trend on the rise is AI-enabled robotics. AI is no longer confined to dashboards and copilots. “Physical AI,” which is the convergence of AI with robotics, sensors, and real-world systems, marks a turning point. As Deloitte notes, intelligence is becoming “embodied” in factories, warehouses, and supply chains, where autonomous systems can optimize operations in real time. For example, BMW is testing humanoid robots to handle tasks that traditional industrial robots cannot perform, according to Deloitte. Meanwhile, the Bank of America Institute projects that the material costs of a humanoid robot could fall from $35,000 in 2025 to between $13,000 and $17,000 by 2035.

Why should CFOs care about AI-driven robots? According to the report, they directly affect both costs and ROI. Adopting physical AI can reshape products, operations, and supply chains, influencing everything from manufacturing to quality control. Finance leaders must ensure these changes are accurately reflected in KPIs and financial reporting to drive competitive advantage. At the same time, CFOs need to strengthen how they measure ROI in a hybrid human–AI workforce and invest in upskilling finance teams to understand and manage the financial implications of this technology.

But physical AI is just one piece of a broader transformation. Deloitte highlights a surge in agentic AI, systems that don’t just analyze but act, alongside a resurgence in hardware investment, as AI workloads demand specialized infrastructure. These shifts introduce new cost structures, including rising energy consumption and capital intensity, placing CFOs at the center of critical trade-off decisions.

The finance function’s role is expanding from measuring performance to shaping the technological bets that will determine it.

Sheryl Estrada
sheryl.estrada@fortune.com

Leaderboard

Rob Cooper, CFO of David’s Bridal, has stepped down after 20 years of service at David’s, after overseeing transitions to the interim CFO. David’s has initiated a search for a new CFO to help scale the company’s growth strategy and support continued expansion of the “Aisle to Algorithm” platform across both B2C and B2B initiatives.

Meir Peleg was appointed CFO of IceCure Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: ICCM), developer of minimally invasive cryoablation technology, effective May 17. Peleg is a seasoned public company CFO with over 20 years of financial leadership. He has led a Nasdaq IPO and multiple large-scale capital raises, while scaling global industrial-tech organizations. 

Big Deal

The research report, The Board’s AI Moment, from Protiviti and BoardProspects, is the third annual global board governance survey of 772 board members and C-suite executives assessing how boards oversee AI strategy, governance, and value creation. On average, 26% of corporate boards discuss AI at every board meeting.

In 63% of organizations reporting high AI ROI, every board meeting agenda includes a discussion on AI. By comparison, only 13% of low-ROI organizations report the same level of board engagement. In addition, 93% of high-ROI organizations express confidence in their responsible AI strategy. 

As AI moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment, the board’s role is becoming more consequential. But it can vary significantly based on board composition, committee structure, industry dynamics, organization size, and whether management treats AI as a strategic priority, according to the report.

Going deeper

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, a leading global asset manager and technology provider, released his annual chairman’s letter to shareholders on Monday. “Every year, this letter reflects conversations I’ve had with clients, employees, CEOs, and policymakers around the world,” Fink wrote in a LinkedIn post.

AI is a central topic in the letter. Fink notes that the technology is advancing at a remarkable pace but warns that, if not managed carefully, it could deepen wealth disparities.

Fink writes: “The vast majority of wealth has flowed to people who owned assets, not to people who earned most of their money by working. Since 1989, a dollar in the U.S. stock market has grown to more than 15 times the value of a dollar tied to median wages. Now AI threatens to repeat that pattern at an even larger scale—concentrating wealth among the companies and investors positioned to capture it.”

Overheard

“Gen Z is not unemployable. They are knocking on locked doors. The task before us is to reopen them — and to make sure that a shot at the middle class doesn’t become a relic of the past.”

—Janelle Jones, senior fellow at the Groundwork Collaborative and Nia Law, a research associate, write in a Fortune opinion piece titled, “The entry-level job market is the worst it’s been in 37 years. Stop blaming Gen Z.” Jones is a former chief economist at the Department of Labor. 

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Prepaid Tuition Plan vs. 529 Plan: Which Is Best?


The main difference between a prepaid tuition plan and 529 plan is that prepaid tuition plans allow you to lock in tuition credits at today’s prices.

Prepaid tuition plans and 529 college savings plans are specialized savings accounts used for future college costs. Prepaid tuition plans act like defined benefit plans, while 529 plans act like defined contribution plans.

There are other significant similarities and differences between them. Get the details for each to figure out which plan makes more sense for your college needs.

What Is a Prepaid Tuition Plan?

A prepaid tuition plan enables you to buy tomorrow’s tuition at today’s prices. It locks in the cost of college, so that a year of tuition is always worth a year of tuition. Prepaid tuition plans offer peace of mind by locking in tuition rates. 

The money is invested by the plan administrator to try to provide a hedge against college tuition inflation. This works well when the stock market is booming and tuition increases are modest. 

But, during an economic downturn and for a few years afterward, tuition rates increase at above-average rates and stock prices plummet, squeezing the prepaid tuition plan from two directions. 

Many prepaid tuition plans suffer from actuarial shortfalls, where the prepaid tuition plan’s assets are insufficient to cover projected future college costs. 

Prepaid Tuition Plans By State

Some prepaid tuition plans are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the state, but it is unclear what this really means in practice. 

Prepaid tuition plans typically react to actuarial shortfalls by closing to new investment, ending the plans and reducing the value of the benefits. Prepaid tuition plans also charge a premium on top of current tuition rates to cover anticipated shortfalls. 

The premiums have increased, so the financial advantages of a prepaid tuition plan are not as good now as they once were. The refund value of a prepaid tuition plan is also limited. 

Only 8 out of nearly two dozen original prepaid tuition plans are still open to new participants, including eight state prepaid tuition plans and the Private College 529 Plan.

  • Florida: Florida Prepaid College Program 
  • Massachusetts: MEFA U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program
  • Michigan: Michigan Education Trust (MET)
  • Mississippi: Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program (MPACT) 
  • Nevada: Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program 
  • Pennsylvania: PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan 
  • Texas: Texas Tuition Promise Fund
  • Washington: Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) 
  • Private College 529 Plan (CollegeWell) has 295 participating private colleges

What Is a 529 Plan?

A 529 plan provides tax and financial aid advantages to help families invest money to pay for future educational expenses. Contributions to a 529 plan are made with after-tax dollars. Contributions are eligible for state income tax deductions or tax credits in two-thirds of the states. 

Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis. 529 plan distributions are tax-free if used to pay for qualified education expenses. 529 plans do not have annual contribution limits, but contributions are subject to gift tax limitations. 

A contributor can give up to the annual gift tax exclusion per beneficiary without incurring gift taxes. 529 plans also offer five-year gift-tax averaging, sometimes called superfunding, which is treated as occurring ratably over a five-year period. 529 plans have aggregate contribution limits that vary by state. Most 529 plans provide a menu of one to two dozen investment options, such as stock and bond mutual funds. 

529 Plan Investment Options

All 529 plans offer dynamic investment options, such as age-based or enrollment-date asset allocations, in addition to static investment options. There are two main types of 529 plans, direct-sold and advisor-sold. Direct-sold plans are managed by the state and have lower fees than advisor-sold plans, which are managed by a financial advisor. 

Minimizing costs is the key to maximizing net returns. Most families should choose a 529 plan that charges less than 1% in fees. There may be a tradeoff between low fees and state income tax breaks. 

Generally, families should choose a 529 plan that charges lower fees until the child reaches high school, when they should switch new investment to the state’s 529 plan if the state offers a state income tax break on contributions.

Wyoming is the only state that doesn’t offer a 529 plan. Most offer a direct-sold 529 plan and one or more advisor-sold 529 plans.

What Are the Differences Between Prepaid Tuition and 529 Plans?

Both prepaid tuition plans and 529 plans offer tax and financial aid advantages, as well as other flexibilities. Distributions are tax-free if used to pay for qualified education expenses. 

The earnings portion of a non-qualified distribution is subject to income tax at the recipient’s rate, plus a 10% tax penalty, plus possible recapture of state income tax breaks. 

If a dependent student owns a prepaid tuition plan or 529 plan, it is reported as a parent asset on the FAFSA. This results in a lower impact on eligibility for need-based financial aid. The account owner has the option to change the beneficiary to a family member of the current beneficiary. 

Unlike the Coverdell education savings account, there are no income restrictions on contributions to prepaid tuition plans or 529 plans. Both prepaid tuition plans and 529 plans offer automatic investment options and families can save with both. However, there are significant differences between the two.

State residency is a major factor, as prepaid tuition plans are limited to state residents, while most 529 plans are not. The Massachusetts prepaid tuition plan and the Private College 529 Plan are the only exceptions. 

Eligible colleges also differ. Prepaid tuition plans can only be used at public colleges in the state of purchase. If the student attends a private college or an out-of-state college, the family must pay the difference in cost. However, prepaid tuition plans can be rolled over to a 529 plan. 

Time and Age Limits also exist. Most prepaid tuition plans must be used within 10 years of normal college enrollment, with some states limiting it to 8 years, 15 years or 30 years. The Private College 529 Plan has a limit of 30 years. Some prepaid tuition plans also have age limits, such as age 30 unless still in college, with extensions for military service. Prepaid tuition plans have a limited open enrollment period, while families can open a 529 plan at any time.

There are also differences in the definition of qualified expenses. Qualified expenses for a prepaid tuition plan are limited to tuition and required fees. 

Qualified expenses for a 529 plan include:

  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Books
  • Supplies and equipment
  • Cost of a computer (including peripherals, software and Internet access)
  • Special needs expenses
  • Room and board (if the student is enrolled at least half-time)

Additionally, 529 plans can be used to pay up to $20,000 per year in K-12 expenses and up to $10,000 (lifetime limit per borrower) in student loan repayment for the student and the student’s siblings.

Editor: Claire Tak

Reviewed by: Robert Farrington

The post Prepaid Tuition Plan vs. 529 Plan: Which Is Best? appeared first on The College Investor.

How the shadow fleet is capitalising on the chaos of war


December 2022

The Strateg, originally named Melodia and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, is part of a fleet exporting crude oil from Russia

June 2023

The ship is renamed Li Bai and changes its flag to Panama

2024

It makes calls to Russian ports where oil consistently breaches the $60 price cap

January 2025

The vessel is placed under sanctions by the US

February 2025

Renamed Azuron and registered under a false Guyana flag

April 2025

Renamed Danshui and registered under a false Comoros flag

May 2025

Sanctions imposed by the EU

July 2025

Sanctions imposed by the UK

Registered under a false Benin flag

December 2025

The vessel, now in effect stateless, is reportedly sold to Russian buyers. Photographs show it entering the Bosphorus Strait with a freshly painted Cyrillic name, Strateg, and flying the Russian flag

February 2026

FT analysis of ship tracking data and satellite imagery analysis shows the Strateg engaging in ship-to-ship transfers with other vessels under sanctions near the Suez Canal

March 2026

The vessel is en route to deliver crude to the Vadinar refinery on India’s west coast, a facility backed by Russia’s state oil company

No, Mortgage Rates Are Not Back to 7% Again


There are charts floating around (again) claiming that the 30-year fixed mortgage is back to 7%.

These are hyperbolic and misleading and being used to sow fear and doom related to the recent uptick in rates.

In reality, mortgage rates are about a half-point higher than they were a month ago, but nowhere close to 7%.

Sure, we’ve seen mortgage rates surge higher since the strikes in Iran, but they remain firmly in the 6% range.

And chances are they won’t retest those 7% levels again, last seen in May 2025.

Pay Attention to the Source! And Their Intentions…

It seems whenever mortgage rates have a bad week or a bad month, the doomers come out and post the highest mortgage rates they can find.

They do so because they know they’ll be rewarded with lots of engagement and views on social media platforms.

Fear sells. And they prosper!

What’s funny is this happens like clockwork every time mortgage rates trend higher for a prolonged period of time.

There’s some obscure mortgage rate chart that always seems to be way higher than the highly-cited national averages from the likes of Freddie Mac and Mortgage News Daily.

The intent is clear – to make prospective home buyers think mortgage rates are bad and that home buying is bad.

And that the housing market will surely crash, after all these years, because mortgage rates are HIGH again.

The truth of the matter is mortgage rates are indeed higher than they were a month ago because of the tensions in the Middle East.

Just about everyone is aware of this. But if we zoom out, mortgage rates are only about a half a percentage point higher than they were in February.

Importantly, those month-ago rates were the lowest we had seen in roughly 3.5 years!

In other words, mortgage rates are higher, but only relative to some really low levels.

Mortgage Rates Are Still Lower Than They Were a Year Ago

That means they remain below year-ago levels, despite this nasty uptick seen in recent weeks.

At this time last year the 30-year fixed was averaging around 6.75%, per Mortgage News Daily.

It eventually increased to 7%, albeit briefly in both April and May before falling steadily thereafter to those 2022-lows we had up until the start of March.

The gap is narrowing though, as rates were more than a full percentage point below year-ago levels in January and February.

And now they’re only about .25% lower than spring 2025 levels, which is tough for the housing market.

There’s also the risk we rise above year-ago levels in the next few weeks because the 30-year was as low as 6.60% in early April 2025.

In other words, yes, mortgage rates are having a rough time at the moment, but to say they’re back at 7% is misleading at best.

They’re nowhere really close. And if you look at actual rate locks, the 30-year fixed is still around 6.375%.

For example, Optimal Blue pegged locks at 6.343% yesterday for a 30-year fixed, which is a far cry from the 7s.

Yes, it’s up from 5.90% in late February, which is unfortunate, but still quite a bit lower than those scary 7% rates.

Most Mortgage Rate Quotes Still in the 5s and 6s

In addition, most banks and mortgage lenders I track daily are still advertising rates in the low 6s or 6.5% at worst.

And if we’re talking about FHA loans or VA loans, those are still being advertised in the high-5s.

So all said, things aren’t as bleak as you might be led to believe on social media. Shocker I know.

Simply put, take those fear-mongering posts with a huge grain of salt.

But if you’re shopping mortgage rates, shop even more aggressively because there will be more rate dispersion than normal at the moment given all the volatility.

This means banks and lenders will have a wider range of rates than usual so the risk of overpaying (by not shopping) is higher.

Colin Robertson
Latest posts by Colin Robertson (see all)

Does Figure Have Workaround For Stablecoin Yield With $YLDS?


The banks are at it again. Instead of competing on a level playing field with digital asset firms, they want to put their hand on the regulatory scale to ensure they maintain a moat that helps them, but not consumers.

Spewing FUD regarding deposit flight, the ability to originate loans, and the emerging stablecoin ecosystem, chatter currently indicates that the so-called “compromise” regarding the CLARITY Act will not allow stablecoin holders to generate yield only “rewards.”

The legacy banking industry has done an excellent job of using a stick and a carrot to influence elected officials. On the one hand, they have enormous financial clout and the donations to encourage policymakers to back their viewpoint. At the same time, fear, uncertainty, and doubt have been used to raise concerns about bank lending if consumers and businesses move money from deposits into stablecoins. Of course, they have no proof of this unknown outcome, and banks can, of course, compete with digital asset firms, but they would rather create a regulatory blockade to ensure profits.

Today on X there may be one digital asset firm that is well positioned to offer yeild. Figure (Nasdaq: FIGR), founded by perpetual entrepreneur Mike Cagney, has already established a path to generating returns for its holders – $YLDS.

$YLDS is a registered public debt security on Solana. $YLDS is described as being a security version of stablecoin, intended to maintain a fixed dollar price and offer a “continuous yield” that is said to be backed by U.S. Treasuries and Treasury repo agreements.

On X today, Cagney claimed that $YLDS will continue to pay interest. He also shared that they also need the “same freedom of transfer as USDC and he is lobbying for this now. Cagney shared that he is meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission next week and is lobbying for language in the CLARITY Act to ensure it is included in the bill.

Of course, over time, other digital asset firms will seek to replicate or offer similar services. Technology will provide a path.

 

 

 

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SK Hynix files for US listing that source says could raise up to $14 billion




SK Hynix files for US listing that source says could raise up to $14 billion

3 Places You Should Sell Your Gold and 3 Places You Shouldn’t


Right now, gold is trading near record highs. It recently surged past $5,000 an ounce.

That means if you have old jewelry, coins, or bullion sitting in a drawer, you’re probably sitting on a serious pile of cash. If you’re wondering how to turn your gold jewelry into cash while prices are high, you aren’t alone.

But here’s the ugly truth. The higher the price of gold goes, the more the scammers and bottom-feeders come out of the woodwork.

The FBI has warned people about gold scams where sophisticated operations convince you to convert your cash into precious metals, only to send a courier to your front door to steal it. If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you’re going to get taken for a ride.

You can’t just walk into the first place with a neon “We Buy Gold” sign and expect a fair deal. You need a strategy. Here are three places you should consider selling your gold, and three you need to avoid like the plague.

Where you should go to sell your gold

1. Established local coin shops: If you have gold coins or standard bullion, reputable local coin dealers are often your best bet. They operate on tight, known margins based on the daily spot price of gold. Because they have a physical storefront in your community, they rely heavily on reputation.

You can look these shops up on the Better Business Bureau, read local reviews, and get a quote face-to-face. Plus, you walk out with money in your hand the same day.

2. Major online bullion dealers: If you’re selling recognized gold bars or popular coins like American Eagles, online dealers like APMEX or JM Bullion are transparent.

They post their buyback prices right on their websites, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you even put your gold in the mail. It takes a few days to get paid, but you avoid the haggling and get a competitive rate.

3. Professional appraisers or auction houses: If you’re holding antique gold jewelry, rare coins, or designer pieces, don’t sell them for scrap. The historical or collector value is often much higher than the raw metal value.

As a rule for selling your gold jewelry and coins, pay a certified appraiser a flat fee — never a percentage of the item’s value — to tell you what you actually have. If it’s something special, an auction house will get you in front of collectors willing to pay a premium.

Where you shouldn’t go to sell your gold

1. Mail-in cash-for-gold companies: You’ve seen the late-night commercials. They send you a prepaid envelope, you mail off your jewelry, and they send you a check. Don’t do this. Some of these companies are notorious for paying a fraction of what your gold is worth.

Worse, they often employ a ticking-clock tactic where if you don’t reject their lowball offer within a few days, they melt your gold down and the deal is final.

2. Pawn shops: I have nothing against pawn shops for certain transactions, but they’re generally a terrible place to sell gold. These businesses have high overhead and need to make massive profit margins on everything they buy.

They aren’t looking to give you the fair market value of your gold; they’re looking to buy it cheap enough to resell it and keep the lights on. You’ll almost always get a better price at a dedicated coin shop or jeweler.

3. Hotel buyers and pop-up events: Sometimes you’ll see ads for traveling buyers who set up shop in a local hotel conference room for the weekend, offering to buy your gold and silver. Run the other way.

These are often fly-by-night operations. They come into town, rely on high-pressure sales tactics to buy your valuables for pennies on the dollar, and then leave before you realize you’ve been taken. If you realize the next day that you made a mistake, they’re already two states away.

Before you sell a single ounce, know what you have and check the current spot price so you can make the most cash. Always get at least three different quotes. It’s your money. Don’t let someone else walk away with it.