Author: Money Mechanics

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. March 12, 2026 Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Home BancShares For release at 4:30 p.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced its approval of the application by Home BancShares, of Conway, Arkansas, to acquire and subsequently merge with Mountain Commerce Bancorp, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire Mountain Commerce Bank, both of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Board also gave its approval for Centennial Bank, of Conway, Arkansas, to merge with…

Key Takeaways Growth of 10K tracks how a $10,000 investment evolves over a specific time period.This chart helps investors visualize the growth or decline of investments.It is commonly used for assessing fund performance since inception or over the past decade.Growth of 10K is useful for comparing different investments within the same time frame.The measure assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. What Is Growth of 10K? Growth of 10K, or growth of 10,000, is a commonly used chart that highlights the change in value of an initial $10,000 investment in a financial asset during a given period of time. This…

Key Takeaways MBA graduates often have better management training and broader business knowledge.Master of Finance programs are shorter and focus more on finance.Both degrees can lead to high-paying finance jobs. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. MBA vs. Master of Finance: A Comprehensive Comparison Those looking to get into a career in finance are often encouraged to continue their studies by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA), but the Master of Finance can be an excellent option as well. An MBA offers a broad curriculum in finance, markets, accounting, entrepreneurship, and management. A master’s degree…

Key Takeaways A certified check is a bank-guaranteed check ensuring sufficient funds.Certified checks verify the account holder’s signature authenticity.They are used for transactions requiring assured payment methods.Unlike cashier’s checks, certified checks are signed by the issuer.They’re ideal for high-value or trust-sensitive transactions. What Is a Certified Check in Banking? A certified check is a type of check for which the issuing bank guarantees that there will be enough cash available in the holder’s account to cover it when the recipient cashes or deposits it. A certified check also verifies that the account holder’s signature on the check is genuine. Situations that…

Key Takeaways “Cornering a market” refers to dominating enough of an asset to control its price or share significantly.This requires substantial financial resources to acquire a major stake in a company or commodity.Only investors with considerable capital can effectively corner a market. What Does “Corner a Market” Mean? Cornering a market means acquiring enough shares of a particular security type, such as those of a firm in a niche industry, to be able to manipulate its price. It can also result from holding a significant commodity position. The term implies that the market has been backed into a corner. There…

By Rick Rosenthal, Director, Derivatives SalesWhen clients need to borrow money, financial advisors typically rely on familiar tools like margin loans or pledged asset lines.But there’s another long-standing approach that’s starting to get more attention in advisory conversations: the SPX short box spread.When used in the right situation, a short box spread can offer an established way to meet certain short-term liquidity needs, sometimes at lower borrowing costs. The challenge is that many advisors simply have not spent much time with them However, many advisors are simply not familiar with the strategy and therefore do not feel comfortable implementing it.I…

Key Takeaways An accumulated dividend refers to unpaid dividends on cumulative preferred stock carried forward until payment is possible.Shareholders of cumulative preferred stock receive accumulated dividends before common shareholders.Accumulated dividends indicate a company’s financial inability to pay shareholders timely.Understanding accumulated dividends helps investors gauge a company’s financial health and dividend policy priorities. What Is an Accumulated Dividend? An accumulated dividend is an unpaid dividend connected to cumulative preferred stock. These dividends accumulate when a company can’t pay them in the current period. They’re carried forward from previous periods. This is usually because dividend-issuing companies are not financially equipped to pay…

Key Takeaways Rivian is launching the R2, a smaller and more affordable SUV, starting at $59,485.First deliveries of the Premium model will start this spring, with R1 owners first in line for them. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Rivian has unveiled eagerly awaited details on its R2 model, a launch that experts say could turn out to be a make or break moment for the EV maker. The R2, which was introduced Thursday at the SXSW festival in Austin, is a smaller, more affordable SUV the company has made its goal since introducing a…

Key Takeaways A home inspection contingency allows a buyer to inspect a property and cancel the contract without losing earnest money if serious defects are found. The contingency typically includes a short deadline, often five to 10 days, to review the inspection and notify the seller in writing. Home inspections evaluate major systems and structural components but are limited to visible and accessible areas. Inspection findings can influence repair negotiations, purchase price adjustments, and financing decisions. Waiving an inspection contingency may strengthen an offer, but it increases the buyer’s financial risk. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Rising property insurance costs contributed to higher mortgage delinquencies last year, new data showed.Home insurance costs have risen 72% since 2019, but have recently shown signs of slowing due to flattening home prices and increased policy switching. Property insurance payments hit an all-time high in 2025 and it could be pushing more people into delinquency. The average annual home insurance payment rose by 6.6% in 2025, with homeowners paying a record $201 a month, according to mortgage data firm Intercontinental Exchange’s (ICE) Mortgage Monitor report for March. And rising insurance costs could be a factor pushing homeowners into…