Author: Jordan

Apple Pay is a go-to feature for iPhone users when shopping in stores, online, and in apps. Apple recently announced four new features that make Apple Pay even better. Here’s how they work. New design in iOS 27 One of my favorite changes in iOS 27 is the redesigned Apple Pay checkout interface. The new interface makes it much easier to switch between different cards during the checkout flow on websites and in apps. In the new design, you can easily swipe between cards on the main Apple Pay checkout screen. You can also tap on a card to view…

Citi’s $3 billion social finance bond stands out as North America’s most impactful ESG transaction of 2024. It is the largest social bond ever issued by a private sector institution and the only social-labelled transaction in the investment-grade dollar market that year.  Structured in two tranches and priced on 12 November 2024, the bond attracted strong demand from sustainability-focused investors, with final books 2.3x oversubscribed.  Proceeds are allocated to Citi’s social finance asset portfolio, which supports inclusive finance and access to essential services across 28 emerging markets. As of December 2024, the portfolio had grown to $4.3 billion, up from…

NATWEST helped fund London-based consumer credit firm Amplifi Capital with up to £250 million before the company entered insolvency last month, according to company filings reviewed by Reuters.The filings show NatWest provided funding to Castor Financing, a business that financed Amplifi, between 2023 and 2025. The links, which have not previously been reported, highlight how banks have provided funding to non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) as regulators continue to examine risks linked to the sector.Amplifi, which had £119 million in total assets in its latest filed accounts for the year ended March 2024, specialised in unsecured personal loans. The company entered…

Although the price-to-earnings multiples of some domestic cyclical stocks are at or near historical lows, expectations of a slowing economy, higher interest rates for longer in Brazil, and the possibility of further rate hikes in the United States have curbed fund managers’ optimism toward shares that are more sensitive to movements in the benchmark interest rate. With an eye on next year’s elections and a scenario in which Brazil’s Central Bank has little room left to continue easing monetary policy, portfolio managers have become more selective when investing in cyclical stocks. The preference has been for companies that are better…

Kurt Angelo O. Bigno and Mary Ysabella V. TormonRESIDENTS of a road connected to Dawis Road in Tabunok, Talisay City have endured recurring flooding for more than five years because of a blocked drainage canal, while efforts to permanently solve the problem remain stalled by private property ownership issues, barangay officials said.The flooding, residents said, has become a persistent problem even during dry weather because rainwater can no longer drain properly through the clogged canal, locally known as an imburnal. Leaves, mud and other debris have accumulated inside the drainage system, leaving portions of the road constantly waterlogged.“The current water…

A new report from Moody’s Ratings points out that massive investments in AI infrastructure by global tech giants are fundamentally reshaping their traditional business models, shifting them from “asset-light” to “asset-heavy” and bringing a series of financial challenges, including surging capital expenditures, pressured free cash flow, and rising balance sheet risks. Moody’s research report indicates that capital expenditures for six companies—Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL), Meta (META), Oracle (ORCL), and CoreWeave (CRWV)—are projected to approach the trillion-dollar mark by 2027, with both direct debt and off-balance-sheet lease commitments having risen substantially. Although the credit ratings of leading…

Digital lending has expanded access to formal credit services across India, especially in Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 cities where smartphone-based borrowing has become more common. Among secured lending products, gold loan mobile apps have seen increasing adoption because they may reduce branch visits, simplify documentation, and support faster loan processing.Even though the application process may happen digitally, gold loans continue to remain secured lending products backed by physical gold jewellery. Because of this, borrowers may evaluate not only loan terms but also lender credibility, gold handling practices, app security standards, and regulatory compliance before using a digital…

For landlords on full repayment mortgages, the average monthly payment has increased from £695 to £1,031 — a rise of 48.4%, or £336 per month. The steepest increase has been recorded among those using interest-only products, which remain widely used in the buy-to-let sector owing to their lower monthly outgoings and yield advantages. The average monthly cost of an interest-only buy-to-let mortgage has climbed from £381 to £625, a rise of 63.8% — an additional £243 each month. Across a standard two-year fixed term, landlords on interest-only deals are now paying an estimated £5,839 more than they would have a…

The country’s young capital market is expanding its institutional foundations, but industry leaders say a shortage of skilled local professionals remains a critical challenge as the country moves towards a more developed securities market.Thirty-seven finance professionals have completed internationally recognised capital market and investment qualifications, adding to the pool of specialists expected to support Ethiopia’s growing securities industry.The graduates include 22 professionals who completed the Level 3 Certificate in Capital Markets – Securities and 15 who earned the International Certificate in Wealth & Investment Management, both qualifications offered by the UK’s Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) through Bruh…

Life as a landlord isn’t getting any easier, but rental returns are on the rise in a minor boon.The average UK gross buy-to-let rental yield was 7.18% in the last three months of 2025, up from 6.99% in the same period in 2024, according to trade body UK Finance.The uptick reflects how rental premiums have outpaced house price growth, which has remained subdued in part due to higher mortgage rates. Try 6 free issues of MoneyWeek today Get unparalleled financial insight, analysis and expert opinion you can profit from. Start your trial Sign up to Money Morning Don’t miss the…