Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Huntington Bancshares will pay $7.4 billion in an all-stock purchase of Cadence Bank.The acquisition will expand Huntington’s reach in Texas, and make it the largest bank in Mississippi. The deal is the latest in a series of multibillion-dollar bank mergers. Another bank is getting gobbled up. Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) has become the latest financial firm to snap up a smaller bank with its planned $7.4 billion all-stock purchase of Cadence Bank (CADE). Shares of Cadence advanced about 3% Monday, while Huntington’s fell 4%. The KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index was recently edging lower on an upbeat day for…

Age Median 401(k) Savings Goal Gap 40s $162,143 $1,428,571 $1,266,428 50s $251,758 $1,428,571 $1,176,813 For early retirees, these aren’t finish lines, they’re starting points. Planning conservatively and saving above the benchmarks can mean the difference between running out of money and retiring with peace of mind. Accessing Your 401(k) Before 59½ It’s important to know that you can’t access your 401(k) funds without a 10% penalty until 59½, aside from limited exceptions. That means anyone retiring before 59½ will need a plan to cover expenses until those funds are accessible. Taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRA contributions (which can be withdrawn…

(Oil Price) – The U.S. is increasing pressure on Hungary to cut off its reliance on Russian oil imports and vows to work with Hungarian authorities and neighboring countries to help Budapest wean off Russian supply, a senior U.S. diplomat says. Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, rejected in a Fox News interview suggestions from Hungarian politicians that the U.S. is giving Hungary a pass to continue importing Russian oil. “Hungary, unlike many of their neighbors, has not made any plans or made any active steps,” Whitaker told Fox News in an interview. “So we’re going to continue to work with them…

Key Takeaways Platte City is just four miles from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which offers nonstop domestic flights and limited international service. The county’s median home value of $317,600 is well below the national average, making it an affordable option for retirees. Retirees can enjoy nearby wineries, antique shops, and museums, with easy access to larger events and cultural attractions in Kansas City. The area has a relatively low climate risk and experiences four full seasons, with hot summers and cold winters. While it might not be on your retirement radar yet, Platte City, Missouri, is a midwestern town…

Single Stock Volatility Bid Ahead of Tech Earnings Cboe Japan Corporate Webpage to be permanently terminated effected from November 2025 Mandy Xu ▬ October 27, 2025 Link to Report: Macro Volatility DigestWHAT STANDS OUT:Implied volatilities fell across asset classes last week on softer than expected CPI and easing trade tensions. Equity volatility led the way, with the VIX® index down 4.4 pts wk/wk to 16.4%, falling to the 39th percentile low over the past year. Gold implied volatility moderated, even as realized volatility surged higher, driving the 1M implied-realized vol spread from a high of +9% to now -12%. Notably,…

Key Takeaways The buy now, pay later provider Klarna plans to launch a membership program in the U.S. that it sees as an alternative to high-end credit cards like the American Express Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve cards.Its Premium and Max programs will give users access to more than a dozen subscriptions, cash back and other perks. Klarna is making a play for the premium credit card segment. The buy now, pay later (BNPL) company on Monday announced the European roll-out of alternatives to high-end credit cards, a business in which banks are competing for consumers who pay annual fees…

Key Takeaways A second Federal Reserve rate cut is expected this week, and another could follow in December—meaning savings and certificate of deposit (CD) yields will soon start to slip. You can offset falling rates by keeping everyday cash in a top high-yield savings account that beats inflation. For money you won’t need soon, locking in a top CD rate now can help preserve today’s unusually strong returns. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. What This Week’s Fed Decision Could Mean for Your Money The Federal Reserve is expected to make a second, modest rate cut…

An 89 year old woman lives alone in a small apartment in suburbia. She is low income and has government- subsidized housing. She is blind and very hard of hearing. She forgot to turn off the faucet in the sink and flooded her entire apartment. The landlord wants her out. Can he evict her? Do her kids have to help her?The Issue Of Self-NeglectClearly this elder should not be living alone and unsupervised. At AgingParents.com, where we offer advice and strategy about family aging issues, we were consulted by the attorney for the landlord. What can his client do? He,…

Key Takeaways When looking for a mortgage, shopping around for loan options can save you thousands. Realtor.com found that shopping around for lenders can get you a mortgage rate 0.55% lower than average, which would save you nearly $44,000 over the life of the mortgage if you purchased a median-priced home ($425,000). Improving your credit score and securing a larger down payment can also help, but these steps can take more time. At a time when mortgage rates are at multi-year highs and show few signs of coming down in the next year, shaving a few basis points off your…

Key Takeaways Many investors buy cryptocurrency as a speculative investment or hedge against inflation, often driven by confidence in blockchain technology. Cryptocurrency has no centralized regulator, trades continuously, and isn’t backed by traditional assets, making it highly volatile. You need a crypto wallet and exchange account to invest, but you can start with a small amount of money. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property for tax purposes, which makes disposing of it a taxable event, similar to stocks. Committing to a long-term strategy and avoiding emotional decisions are key to successful crypto investing. Cryptocurrency ownership rates have steadily increased among…