Banking & Finance
Arlo Washington Talks Financial Education & the Wealth Gap
“The Barber of Little Rock,” a 2023 film about Washington, was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Documentary Short Film.
Banking on Change: Profit Proves Elusive For Two Out of Three Banks
A trio of banks that started 2023 with a quarterly loss meandered their way to mixed results at year’s end. read more >
by George Waldon -
Banking & Finance / Agriculture & Poultry / Business Services / Industry / Investments / Manufacturing / Media & Marketing / Nonprofits / Restaurants & Food / Retail / Small Business / Transportation
Empowering the Delta (Abe Hudson Commentary)
By supporting grassroots efforts, we can narrow the racial wealth gap and foster inclusive growth. read more >
by Abe Hudson -
Banking & Finance / Agriculture & Poultry / Education / Industry / Legal / Manufacturing / Media & Marketing
Orcutt Named Partner at Shults Law Firm (Movers & Shakers)
She previously served as senior counsel in Husch Blackwell LLP’s national education law practice. read more >
Arvest Bank Names Kevin Sabin as Chair, Matt Machen as President
Jim Walton, the son of Walmart Inc. founder Sam Walton, will step down as bank chair but remain chair for Arvest Bank Group, the bank’s holding company. read more >
Drew Harrison Joins Arvest Board in Little Rock
He's the vice president of operations for Harrison Energy Partners of Little Rock. read more >
Average Long-Term US Mortgage Rate Declines to Levels Last Seen in Early February
Despite the choppy trajectory in mortgage rates this year, the average rate on a 30-year home loan is still down from the 23-year high of 7.79% it reached in late October. read more >
by Associated Press -
Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Public Companies / Restaurants & Food / Retail / Small Business
February Retail Sales Up 0.6%, Weaker Than Expected
February's number was lifted in part by higher gas price as well as higher auto sales and a rebound in building materials. read more >
by Associated Press -
Banking & Finance / Business Services / Government & Politics / Insurance / Real Estate / Retail / Small Business / Transportation
US Inflation Up Again in February, The Latest Sign That Price Pressures Remain Elevated
Prices rose 0.4% from January to February, higher than the previous month’s figure of 0.3%, the Labor Department said Tuesday. read more >
by Associated Press -
Banking & Finance / Business Services / Health Care / Legal / Media & Marketing / Real Estate / Small Business
Soledad O’Brien to Keynote 2024 Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium
The event, set for May 2 at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock, will once again feature breakout sessions and panels led by industry experts. read more >
Banking & Finance / Business Services / Construction / Education / Energy / Government & Politics / Health Care / Manufacturing / Restaurants & Food / Small Business / Tourism
State Jobless Rate Holds at 3.7% in January After December Rate Revised Up
Compared to the same month the previous year, the labor force participation rate was two-tenths of a percentage point higher. read more >
Banking & Finance / Business Services / Education / Energy / Health Care / Investments / Legal / Manufacturing / Nonprofits / Retail / Small Business / Technology / Transportation
AI Market Forecast to Hit $1.8 Trillion in 2030
The global value of the artificial intelligence market is expected to surge in the next decade, growing from about $95.6 billion in 2021 to $1.8 trillion by 2030, according to […] read more >
Smiley Technologies’ Elizabeth Glasbrenner on the Growth of Fintech
She has been president of Smiley Technologies since 2015 and is also president of the board of Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. read more >
The Legal Saga of LaDonna Humphrey, and the Boss She Brought Down
Arkansas Business reviewed hundreds of pages of transcripts and court documents to track the rise and fall of a business that quickly outgrew its management and the role a disgruntled employee played in its collapse. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Industry / Media & Marketing / Nonprofits / Public Companies
Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent Gap (Chris Wright Commentary)
Traditional workforce development won’t satisfy the need for cybersecurity professionals. read more >
by Christopher Wright -
Arkansas Sees Surge in Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Taxes in 2023
Excise tax collections for mixed drinks reached $20.88 million last year, a 7% increase over collections in 2022 and a whopping 120% increase over the pandemic year of 2020. read more >
SQRL Faces Financial Strain After Ambitious Expansion
A 210-store transaction in October has not been “seamlessly integrated” as predicted by CEO J. Blake Smith read more >
by George Waldon -
Banking & Finance / Business Services / Industry / Media & Marketing / Nonprofits / Small Business / Tourism
Arkansas’ Podcast Boom: Business Takes Center Stage
Today’s businesses are creating their own podcasts to engage with potential clients, build a steady stream of content to be broken down into social media promotions, and position their executives as thought leaders in industry specialties. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Pharmacists Association Names Michael Morrison as Senior Adviser (Movers & Shakers)
He previously served as the deputy communications director and director of visual media for the Arkansas attorney general’s office. read more >
Scammers Are Getting Better (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
We need to recognize that even intelligent people can be victims. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Banking & Finance / Construction / Government & Politics / Health Care / Manufacturing / Real Estate / Restaurants & Food / Retail / Small Business
US Employers Add a Surprisingly Strong 275,000 Jobs, a Sign of Continued Economic Strength
Last month’s job growth marked an increase from a revised gain of 229,000 jobs in January. read more >
by Associated Press -