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Pope Leo XIV on AI’s new ‘form of domination’: it risks becoming a tool of ‘economic colonialism’

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Pope Leo XIV on AI’s new ‘form of domination’: it risks becoming a tool of ‘economic colonialism’



Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence risks becoming a new form of “economic colonialism,” deepening the gap between wealthy and poor nations, and said algorithms are already creating “a subtle form of domination” over who gets seen and heard.

“We must remain vigilant in this regard,” Leo told the network of officeholders who make up the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) on Friday. “Lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.” He warned that AI’s rapid development risks leaving poorer countries increasingly dependent on wealthier ones for the technology.

He went further, describing what he called “a subtle form of domination when algorithms decide who is seen, and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.” Such developments, he said, “reveal a new face of the ancient temptation to domination and mastery without service.”

To guard against that, Leo called for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility,” so that “no single ideology or interest dictates the values embedded in artificial intelligence systems.” The pope’s words to call for a responsible political system echoes language he has used before in tension with the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach to AI. President Donald Trump has pushed to loosen federal AI rules and repealed the Biden administration’s AI executive order in January 2025. When Leo released “Magnifica Humanitas” in May, dubbed the pope’s “AI encyclical,” the Trump administration was split in response when Vice President JD Vance praised it and others dismissed the warning.

Since that time, the pope said AI and technology at large decreases the interactions and relationships people have with one another. This in turn is causing marriage and birth rates to decrease as the ages people reach these milestones increase, if at all. AI, the pope warned, “must never be allowed to erode” the family, and it does so by “reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations,” by “flooding young minds with content that distorts desire,” and through “economic models that make family life economically precarious.”

A redelivery of the church’s stance

The address built on his first encyclical, which made AI’s effect on human dignity, labor and family life the centerpiece of his papacy’s early teaching. Christopher Hale, a political consultant and founder of the newsletter Letters from Leo, said Friday’s remarks were less a new position than a redelivery of ideas already laid out in the encyclical.

“No one reads a 200-page encyclical,” Hale told Fortune. “Oftentimes what will happen is over weeks and months the pope will reveal different parts of that encyclical.” The pope’s Friday’s remarks were in gist a reiteration of his first encyclical—but the point is who it is redelivering the point.

Hale said Leo’s religious authority gives him standing that other AI critics lack in confronting the technology industry.

“Silicon Valley has an opponent that operates on a terrain that they’re not used to,” Hale said. “They’re used to dealing in transactional relationships, but Leo XIV represents something of a quagmire for them because he cannot be bought off, he cannot be terrorized, he can’t be indicted, he can’t be deported.”

Hale added that pairing AI criticism with religious language broadens its reach beyond activists already skeptical of the technology.

“When this language is combined with moral language, with religious language, what it does is it takes a leftist critique that might have marginal support in the United States and makes it mainstream,” he said.

Hale pointed to the backlash against AI data centers as evidence that opposition to the industry already cuts across party lines, even without a shared political language to unite it.

“If you look at the criticism of AI data centers, particularly over the summer, they’re really coming from all factions, from the left and the right,” Hale said. “What’s been hard about it, though, is that there has yet to be a language that can combine the two.”

“He strangely represents the fusion of the populist left and the populist right,” Hale said. “That’s what makes him so powerful.”

Is AI Pushing Mortgage Rates Higher?

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Is AI Pushing Mortgage Rates Higher?


A lot of the recent uptick in mortgage rates has been attributed to the ongoing war with Iran.

But there is perhaps another, lesser known reason mortgage rates have pushed back into the high 6s.

And it’s all the artificial intelligence (AI) spending, which has arguably crowded out other investments, leading to higher bond yields.

When this happens, it increases the supply of bonds that compete with Treasuries and mortgage securities for investor capital.

And that can put even more upward pressure on rates. But perhaps over the long run it’ll do the opposite.

How AI Is Making Your Mortgage Rate Higher

  • AI companies need lots of money right now for their build out
  • They borrow funds by issuing corporate bonds
  • Buyers of these bonds only have so much money to invest
  • And also invest in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS)
  • High bond supply is forcing these companies to offer higher yields
  • That means MBS have to offer higher yields as well to attract investors
  • And that can lead to higher interest rates on home loans too

As laid out above, AI spending is off the charts lately.

And in order to fund all the spending, these companies are issuing bonds.

So-called “hyperscalers” like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle have been spending hundreds of billions each year to build out data enters and related infrastructure.

And a lot of these costs are being financed by large investment-grade corporate bond sales.

To put it in context, U.S. hyperscaler bond issuance has risen “from 2% of total USD investment-grade issuance between 2022 and 2024 to an expected 9% in 2026,” per J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

And just this year, hyperscalers have issued a whopping $219 billion in “investment-grade bonds” to fund these massive projects.

When it comes down to it, there’s only so much capital available, and if a ton of it is being allocated to build data centers, there’s less available for things like mortgage lending.

This means when someone does want to apply for a home loan, the rate will be higher, all else equal.

You’re essentially competing for those borrowing dollars with AI companies, which drives up the rate of interest.

The same investors who are buying these AI-backed bonds also buy things like Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

To attract these investors, they have to increase the yield (interest rate) to remain competitive.

Otherwise these investors, whether they’re banks, insurance companies, or pension funds, will just invest in those tech bonds instead.

How much is another question. Maybe it’s only .125% higher.

So if the 30-year fixed is 6.75% today, perhaps it’d be a slightly less unattractive 6.625%.

But there’s an argument it could be even larger, perhaps 0.25% or more.

And ultimately any increase in rates is impactful given how poor housing affordability is at the moment.

It’s yet another reason why interest rates remain elevated and the old “higher for longer” adage remains in play.

Eventually AI Could Push Mortgage Rates Lower

While massive AI investment might be piling upward pressure on interest rates now, the opposite could play out later.

It’s one of the arguments new Fed chair Kevin Warsh made a while back, saying productivity gains could prove to be disinflationary and allow the Fed to cut rates instead of raise them.

Of course, a lot of people are skeptical at the moment, but only time will tell how it actually plays out.

If the theory proves to be true, bond yields and mortgage rates could drift lower over time.

In addition, AI-driven processes could simply make mortgages cheaper to produce, eliminating a lot of costs with the savings passed on to consumers.

However, that might take years to play out and isn’t very practical to a prospective home buyer today.

Nor an existing homeowner with a 7% mortgage rate looking to get some relief with a rate and term refinance.

So while AI might eventually lead to lower mortgage rates, the build out could be exacerbating things at the moment.

(photo: Robert Scoble)

Colin Robertson
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BBA কি Scam??? #khalidfarhan #Bangladesh #business @khafafans

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BBA কি Scam??? #khalidfarhan #Bangladesh #business @khafafans

source

Capital One Shopping: Get 50% Back at CVS.com

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The Offer

Check your Capital One Shopping homepage and emails and your Capital One Offers in the login for the following offer:

  • Get 40% or 45% or 50% back at CVS.com.

I’m seeing 40% on the homepage and got an email offer for 45%. Capital One Offers in the login likely has similar offers. 

The Fine Print

  • Orders deemed by CVS to be used for reselling purposes, that are over $500 in order amount or include a quantity of more than 8 of the same SKU are not eligible.
  • Not eligible for purchases of gift cards.
  • Use of promotional codes not provided by Capital One may invalidate your offer.

Our Verdict

Not sure if there’s anything worth buying at CVS.com, but maybe some creatives will find this worthwhile. Stack with Chase Offer for additional 10% back. 

As always, keep in mind that Capital One Shopping portal does not require having a Capital One card or bank account. Also remember that the rewards are not cash but rather they cash out as gift cards for various brands. 

Best Student Loan Rates for August 25, 2026: College Ave Leads at 1.94%

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Best Student Loan Rates for August 25, 2026: College Ave Leads at 1.94%


Student loan rates have are getting even more competitive as peak back to school season starts. As of August 25, 2026, private student loan lenders are offering fixed rates as low as 1.94% APR and variable rates starting as low as 3.03% APR, depending on credit profile, degree program, and repayment term. 

College Ave is currently offer 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.

💰 Today’s Best Student Loan Rates At a Glance

Here are the best private student loan rates today:

Lender

Fixed APR

Variable APR

Cosigner Required?

Abe® Student Loans

2.08% – 16.58%

3.38% – 16.06%

No

Ascent Student Loans

2.19% – 17.26%

3.64% – 16.30%

No

College Ave

1.94% – 17.99%

3.89% – 17.99%

Yes

Sallie Mae

1.95% – 17.49%

3.75% – 16.95%

No

Student Choice

2.99% – 14.74%

3.03% – 15.00%

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 2.08% APR. Read our full Abe Student Loans review.

2. Ascent Student Loans – Ascent offers private student loans with some of the lowest rates, currently starting at 2.19% APR. They even offer no-cosigner options for undergraduates. 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 1.94% 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 1.95% 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 3.03% 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.

  • Undergraduate Direct: 6.52%
  • Graduate Direct: 8.07%
  • Parent PLUS Loans: 9.07%

You can find a full list of the best private student loans here >>

Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Which Should You Choose?

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:

  • Fixed rates stay the same for the life of the loan, offering predictable monthly payments. They’re better for borrowers who plan to repay over many years.
  • Variable rates can change with market conditions, starting lower but carrying risk if the Fed raises rates again. They can make sense for borrowers who expect to pay off loans quickly.

Most private lenders allow you to check rates without affecting your credit score. Always compare both options before signing.

What To Know Before Borrowing

Before taking out a private student loan, make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing up for.

  • Cosigner rules: Most undergraduates need a cosigner – which is someone (usually a parent) that is just as legally responsible for the loan. Check for early cosigner release after consistent on-time payments.
  • Repayment flexibility: Look for lenders offering in-school deferment, interest-only options, or income-based repayment.
  • Discounts: Many lenders provide 0.25% off for autopay.
  • Fees: Compared to federal loans, private loans offer fewer fees – including no origination fees.
  • Safety: Federal loans offer loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans. Exhaust federal options before turning to private loans.

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.

How We Track And Verify Student Loan Rates

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.

FAQs

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.

Disclosures



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 Abe® 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 rate type selected, (3) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (4) the expected number of years in deferment, (5) type of degree program, and (6) the requested loan amount. Rates and terms are effective as of 08/12/2026. 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 3.625% as of 08/01/2026. 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 undergraduate and graduate low fixed and variable rate APRs assume a 5-year term and the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay (see footnote 2 for auto pay details). The undergraduate high fixed and variable rate APRs assume a 20-year term; the graduate high fixed rate APR assumes a 20year term and the graduate high variable rate APR assumes a 5year term. The undergraduate and graduate fixed rate and graduate variable rate high APRs assume the Interest Only Repayment option, a thirty-seven-month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment. Undergraduate variable rate high APR assumes the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement. .

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 education loan debt (which includes federal and private student loans) to exceed $300,000 per student applicant applying for an undergraduate loan, $350,000 per student applicant applying for a graduate, graduate certificate, Healthcare Professionals, Law or MBA loan, or $500,000 per student applicant applying for a Medical or Dental loan. The requested loan amount cannot cause the aggregate education loan debt of a cosigner, applying jointly for an Abe loan, to exceed $999,999.99.

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 20-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, a fixed interest rate, and the Flat Payment Repayment option. Abe Undergraduate Loans: 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.00% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $237.24. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 9.15% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $185.38. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 9.27% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $147.30. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 9.41% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $119.80. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and a 9.53% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $107.99. Abe Graduate Loans: 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.46% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $242.30. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 9.62% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $190.10. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 9.74% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $151.87. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 9.89% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $124.45. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and a 10.01% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $112.83.

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.

Abe is a registered trademark of Monogram LLC.

Monogram LLC is not an affiliate of DR Bank.

Ascent Student Loans

* Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. 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 AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 8/15/2026 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 following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 60-months (variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 5.85% APR, with 57 payments of $48.75 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $192.65 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $14,338.61.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 6.48% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $233.37 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $15,427.06.
* Deferred Repayment: 6.67% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $269.21 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $16,137.16.
* Immediate Repayment: 3.60% APR, with 60 payments of $182.37, and a total cost of $10,942.30.
 The following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 180-months (highest variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 16.26% APR, with 57 payments of $135.42 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $148.66 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $34,476.99.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 15.03% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $256.16 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $47,530.48.
* Deferred Repayment: 15.23% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $290.4 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $51,470.36.
* Immediate Repayment: 16.01% APR, with 180 payments of $146.93, and a total cost of $26,445.92.

College Ave

College Ave’s student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

* All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

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 8/25/2026.

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 August 25, 2026: College Ave Leads at 1.94% appeared first on The College Investor.

US rates need to rise soon absent evidence of ongoing drop in inflation, Fed’s Collins says

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US rates need to rise soon absent evidence of ongoing drop in inflation, Fed’s Collins says

Republicans squirm as Trump escalates trade war with Canada

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Republicans squirm as Trump escalates trade war with Canada



President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada is escalating as the midterm elections approach, threatening Republican efforts to address voters’ economic concerns in a year when control of the U.S. Senate hinges on states along the border between the United States and its northern neighbor.

The dispute flared over the weekend after negotiations broke down, leading Trump to raise tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian imports. Canada plans to announce tariffs of its own on Tuesday, and the spiraling conflict could lead to higher prices and scrambled supply chains for Americans already aggravated at the president’s management of the economy.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of Democrats’ top targets this year, warned that fallout from Trump’s approach would hurt U.S. businesses and consumers.

“Imposing new tariffs on Canada is a mistake,” Collins said while campaigning Monday, and she mentioned lobsters, blueberries, lumber and other Maine products that end up in Canadian markets.

The issue also puts pressure on Republicans in Michigan, Ohio and Alaska, states where Canada is an important trading partner. Many Democrats seem eager to capitalize on the matter as they try to regain the Senate majority, despite the party’s own history with protectionist sentiments.

“Trump is escalating a trade war with Canada for his own vanity,” Michigan’s Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed said on social media, adding that his Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, is a “rubber stamp” for such policies. A third of the state’s exports go north of the border.

Marc Short, a top adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence during the first Trump presidency, said the issue is a political trap for Republicans.

“It’s hard, obviously, because you don’t want to incur the wrath of the president,” he said. “But at the same time, I think if you’re representing agricultural states, especially, your voters are probably anxious to have somebody representing their interests in Washington right now.”

Trump charges forward on tariffs

It’s possible that Trump will change course or delay his plans. But for now, the president is making no apologies for the economic turmoil.

“Canada has been ripping off the United States for years,” Trump blasted on his Truth Social platform Monday, adding that he will raise tariffs on all Canadian automobiles and auto parts and steel to 50% in 2027. He added, “WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!”

Trump’s top trade official more calmly downplayed the dispute. “This is something where we don’t actually expect a huge impact,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters outside the West Wing.

Vice President JD Vance visited Maine on Monday, where he praised “our very independent friend Susan Collins” and assured voters “we’re very mindful of the fact that Maine is a border state with Canada.” He said the administration is trying to make sure Maine “gets a fair deal.”

Collins did not appear with Vance on Monday or during his last trip to Maine. She campaigned on her own as she tries to hold off a challenge from Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, a former state legislative leader.

Jackson, a logger before going into politics, said tariffs are another example of how Collins does not do enough to stand up to the president.

“Troy spent most of his life working along the Canadian border, so he knows how important this relationship is to Maine’s economy,” Jackson spokesman Dan Gottlieb said.

Republicans are trying to defend Senate control

Trump made no secret of his affection for tariffs during his comeback campaign, promising that higher taxes on imports would generate a windfall for the U.S. Treasury and boost domestic manufacturing. But concerns about inflation and affordability have not receded, including in states with key races this year.

Maine, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska boast industries including fisheries, auto parts, lumber and produce that export items across the northern border, while Canadian imports are sold by a range of U.S. retailers.

Iowa, which also has a competitive Senate race, does not border Canada or its waters, but also exports more goods to Canada than any other nation.

Majority Forward, a political action committee tied to Senate Democrats, already ran television advertisements against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska during last year’s partial government shutdown.

“The tariffs are hitting Alaska the hardest,” the ad said. “Call Dan Sullivan and tell him … stop raising our costs.”

Trade is a key issue in Ohio

Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is trying to return to Washington by unseating Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Brown has long been a union-friendly protectionist Democrat. But he’s argued against Trump’s approach, saying it’s one thing to get aggressive with an adversarial economic powerhouse like China but another to impose uneven, unpredictable tariffs on neighboring nations.

Husted signed a bipartisan letter earlier this year urging the administration to proceed carefully while renegotiating a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. But he’s also embraced the White House’s economic policies, recently appearing with Vance at an Ohio steel plant to praise the administration’s economic agenda.

“Today is a new day, it truly is,” Husted said. “It’s a new day because of the ‘America First’ agenda.”

Brown has not yet criticized Husted on Canadian tariffs, concentrating instead on the senator’s support for data centers and Trump’s war with Iran. But Senate Majority PAC spokeswoman Lauren French said the Canada tariffs fight fits seamlessly into the broader case that Brown and other Democrats are making about Trump and his allies.

“It’s another proof point for the argument that this is a guy who continues to raise your costs for no reason at all,” she said.

Vance says Trump wants ‘fairness’

Short said Trump’s first-term protectionism was easier to defend because it was more focused on China. In the second Trump presidency, Short said, “we’ve so alienated our normal trading partners that part of their retaliation has been not to buy agricultural products,” thus cutting off replacement markets for any lost trade with Beijing.

In Maine, Vance insisted Trump only wants to level the playing field with Canada.

“They don’t expect anybody to fight back,” Vance said. “We’re sick of that.”

He also criticized Canada as treating China more fairly than the U.S. in trade negotiations.

“It’s over,” Vance said. “We expect fairness in our trade policy.”

Collins shared a different goal.

“I really want us to go back to the very friendly, economically beneficial relationship that we have with our Canadian neighbors,” she said.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.

Hyperliquid Policy Center Calls On SEC And CFTC For Clearer Rules On Perpetual Contracts

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The Hyperliquid Policy Center has formally urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to establish a coordinated regulatory approach for perpetual contracts.

In a comment letter submitted on August 24, 2026, the group responded to a joint request from the agencies seeking public input on the definitions of swaps, security-based swaps, and related products under existing US derivatives law.

Perpetual contracts, which lack a fixed expiration date and instead use periodic funding payments to keep prices aligned with the underlying asset, have become one of the most actively traded derivatives globally.

Much of this activity has developed outside the United States due to ongoing uncertainty about how these instruments should be classified under federal law.

The letter argues that classification should focus on a contract’s economic features and trading characteristics rather than solely on the type of underlying asset—whether cryptocurrency, commodity, or equity.

The Hyperliquid Policy Center contends that cash-settled equity perpetual contracts possessing traditional futures traits, such as standardization, fungibility, the ability to offset positions, and mechanisms for price convergence, should qualify for treatment as security futures.

Security futures represent a product category already subject to joint oversight by both the SEC and CFTC.

Under this framework, exchanges primarily registered with one agency can list such products after notice registration with the other, enabling competition between securities and futures venues.

The existing security futures regime, the letter notes, was developed for instruments that remained largely inactive for years.

Although US exchanges have recently begun exploring the category again, updates are needed to accommodate contemporary structures like perpetuals.

Without a consistent taxonomy, disagreements over which regulator’s market participants may list a given product risk ending up in litigation.

A harmonized system, by contrast, would allow platforms to compete on factors such as execution quality and liquidity.

The group outlined four specific requests: confirm that cash-settled equity perpetuals meeting futures criteria may be listed as security futures; maintain flexibility for exchanges in determining product classifications; apply uniform standards so similar contracts receive comparable treatment regardless of the underlying asset; and modernize the security futures framework for newer designs.

These steps could be achieved through interpretive guidance, policy statements, or staff actions rather than lengthy formal rulemaking.

The timing follows the CFTC’s May 2026 approval of the first U.S.-listed perpetual contracts as futures, along with an accompanying policy statement.

That earlier action addressed certain non-equity underlyings but flagged equity-linked products for potential joint review.

Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 markets, which include contracts on oil, metals, currencies, equity indices, and individual stocks, have recorded more than $480 billion in trading volume over roughly ten months, with open interest around $4 billion.

Proponents of clearer rules argue that regulatory certainty would help bring substantial offshore activity onshore under American standards of oversight and investor protection.

Traditional exchanges have expressed concerns about market integrity and the need for appropriate registration of certain platforms.

The Hyperliquid Policy Center maintains that prompt guidance would support competition, innovation, and the return of these markets to regulated US venues. As the agencies review comments, the outcome could shape how perpetual contracts evolve within the domestic financial system and influence the broader treatment of novel derivatives.



Mortgage files are getting harder. That may be good news for brokers

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Mortgage files are getting harder. That may be good news for brokers




Non-traditional income, declining property values and tighter lender scrutiny are complicating mortgage applications, but they may also strengthen the broker channel’s value proposition.

So fängst du 2026 mit dem Investieren an (in 10 Min!)

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So fängst du 2026 mit dem Investieren an (in 10 Min!)



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